LeGarette Blount Was Clearly Wrong, But The Punishment Was Too Harsh

Legarrette Blount's suspension was a little bit too harsh in my opinion. Don't get me wrong what Blount did was despicable and there's no excuse for his actions, but suspending him for the rest of the season was a bit much.

I understand the University of Oregon's decision, but I think it was a little bit of an overreaction based on the fact that the game was on national television. So, for Oregon the discipline that was handed down had to come quickly and it had to be tough.

With that being said the Duck program decided the best punishment for Blount was to suspend him for the rest of the season, which means this ends his career as a Duck football player.

Blount though will still be able to practice with the team and keeps his scholarship. Meaning that the Ducks are doing the right thing and not just kicking Blount to the curb and saying "so long, farewell, have a good life."

The Ducks are going to make sure that Blount is able to move on from his mistake whether it is to the NFL or some other occupation in the future. So, it goes to show what kind of football program that Oregon has that even when a player makes the worst mistake of their football career they are still going to be there for them.

Here's my problem with the suspension is the fact that the instigator Bryon Hout is not going to be suspended he will be apparently be disciplined, but the result of his actions doesn't necessarily mean he's going to miss any playing time while Blount will never play another down of college football.

I don't believe the mistake that Blount made should cost him his future!

What Oregon could have done is suspend Blount for five games with certain conditions. Like so many hours of community service specifically working with students and about how to control their anger and by using the example of himself he can learn what to do in certain situations regardless of what is being said or done.

Growing up I was taught when someone was taunting me or doing something I did not like there were two good things to do and one bad thing to do. The bad thing to do is react to it because in the end it makes you look bad and that is exactly what happened with Blount.

The more positive way to go with a situation like that is to either ignore what is being said or to laugh at yourself because then it is them that looks bad and not you.

This lesson could be taught to youngsters and the lessons could be used as role playing for them to learn about how to manage their anger better and how to ignore someone who is teasing, taunting, or being annoying.

I believe that if Blount could complete a community service like that and miss five games he would be able to handle certain situations and if he ever had something like what happened during the Boise State game he would be able to handle himself better.

Again I think the punishment was Oregon being overzealous thanks to the media attention the Ducks have received from the media and the clips being shown. 

There's no doubt that Blount deserved to be suspended but for the rest of the season it was a bit much!