Punishment Not Fitting For Blount's Actions

The punch LeGarrette Blount delivered to the chin of Boise State's Byron Hout was suspension-worthy. His actions afterward were worthy of a much more severe punishment.

There is no doubt Blount should have been suspended for cold-cocking Hout after No. 14 Boise State's 19-8 victory Thursday night over No. 16 Oregon.

But, for coming within feet of physically attacking fans at Bronco Stadium, Blount should have been kicked off of the football team and out of the University of Oregon.

If it weren't for a handful of coaches and police officers holding him back, Blount would have created a scene all too reminiscent of Nov. 19, 2004, in Auburn Hills, Mich. On that night, Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson entered the stands at The Palace of Auburn Hills to engage in a fistfight with fans.

Artest was suspended for the entirety of the year—which ended up being a total of 83 games—for being the primary offender in the incident. For even considering mixing it up with Boise State's fans, Blount should have been kicked off the Ducks football team and had his scholarship ripped up.

Entering any type of physical altercation with fans is the No. 1 mistake any athlete, on any level, can make. Doing so when you are a 6'2", 240-pound athlete in full football pads makes a scary situation even scarier.

There is no reason that can justify an athlete entering the stands. No matter what was said, Blount should have been the bigger man and walked away from the situation—much like he should have been after Hout said whatever he said to instigate Blount's punch.

Football players on all levels are role models and representatives of whatever institute or organization's logos adorn the sides of their helmets. The University of Oregon should be appalled at Blount's actions, especially since Blount was donning Oregon's well-known green and white football uniform. The university should be so appalled, in fact, that they shouldn't want Blount on their campus altogether.

Instead, Blount was suspended for the rest of the year—meaning he can practice with the team for the remainder of the 2009 season—while keeping his valuable scholarship. That punishment is sufficient for Blount's sucker punch only.

It seems the university is OK with Blount's nearly attacking Boise State fans. Such is likely not the case, but the sanctions handed down to Blount should be reflective of all his transgressions, not just the ones performed on the gridiron.