Blounted Senses: Another Unlearned Lesson in Collegiate Sports

"It was just something that I shouldn't have done. I lost my head." Yes, LeGarrette, you did, and oh how awesome it was to see that you were suspended for the rest of the season! And what a fool I was for believing it this time! Shame on me.

I applauded collegiate sports in general and the Ducks in particular. Bravo! Way to show some spine and do the right thing. It was easy to cheer for the Blount-less Ducks as they ripped off seven consecutive wins, including a dismantling of USC.

I admit to snickering to the Stanford loss. Beating you in the classroom is one thing, but on the field AND in the classroom? That friends (and Ducks), is Karma and shame on me for not seeing the predictable.

However, the Pigskin Pantheon saw what my eyes missed. They saw this reinstatement and they grew displeased. Oregon was justly punished with an angry pine tree right up the football wazoo. Hilarious; and again, Karma! Repent Ducks, before it’s too late...but it’s too late already, isn’t it?

The predictable pass for the sociopath athlete has already been written, hasn’t it?

And why? Because of some miracle lesson and conversion for Blount...oh, thank the Lawd!! This one-time sinner has seen the light and has changed 'foreva!! Right. Just like Thunder Collins.

You remember Thunder, don’t you? He was a standout running back at the University of Nebraska. He too was a junior college transfer and now he is in jail for murder because he too, is a sociopath.

How about the Vick brothers?  

Shall we keep playing this game of Name the Ill-Adjusted, Socially Incompetent Athlete ?

This is really happening? He’ really coming back? Sigh. I am not surprised, but I want to be surprised. In fact, it kinda surprises me that I’m not surprised.

According to a late-breaking press release, “There was probably a lot of work being done behind the scenes by LeGarrette Blount in order to fulfill team requirements on fixing his behavior, and earlier reports has stated that he would have to meet certain academic and behavioral conditions if he was ever going to be reinstated to the team. He seems to have been able to meet all of those requirements."

Probably a lot of work being done ...what kind of work? What kind of requirements? Those really hard requirements like, do not sucker-punch defenseless, helmet less opponents ? Yeah, LeGarrette, that’s a tough one to remember.

I’m not mad at Oregon. I’m sure this is Blount’s first offense...except for that time last February, when Blount was suspended indefinitely from the team for "failure to fulfill team obligations." Blount reportedly missed off season team meetings.

Apparently “indefinitely” is Oregonian for “until kickoff week.” I should have known.

If I was an Oregon coach, I’d want him reinstated too. Not for his sake, or to teach him an abstract lesson about second chances. No. Those lessons only take effect in Disney cartoons and country songs.

I’d want LeGarrette back on the team for my safety. The last thing I’d want is that kid finding me at the end of the season. I mean, he may blame a coach for his actions. He may go after him for ruining his chances at the NFL Draft. I mean, he was willing to throw a punch on live TV and then attack the crowd.

Is it hard to imagine him going after a coach?

God forbid he take his medicine...or worse yet, take advantage of his free education, get a degree, and get a job like the rest of us.

After all, he kept his scholarship, weird, I know. I remember a few kids that got booted for fighting and they were not on live TV embarrassing the entire school. But, they were also not athletes either. It’s an interesting message we send.

I’m not mad a Blount. He’s just taking advantage of a system that he has been able to manipulate since he could take a hand off. Just like Collins; just like the brothers Vick and scores of others.

I’m just mad at myself for thinking the right thing would supersede the profitable thing this time.

Shame on me for having my senses Blounted, if only for a little while. Sigh.