Oregon reinstates Blount

By Sports Network

The Sports Network

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Oregon senior running back LeGarrette Blount has been reinstated by head coach Chip Kelly after serving a suspension for punching a Boise State player following the opening game of the season on September 3.

Kelly announced the suspension soon after the incident, saying Blount would sit out the remainder of the season. On October 2, however, the coach gave an indication that the suspension could be lifted.

Blount, who missed eight games but has been practicing with the team, will be eligible to play for the 14th-ranked Ducks when they host Arizona State this Saturday.

"I'm grateful to Coach Kelly that he cares enough to offer me this second chance," said Blount in a statement released by the school. "Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise.

"When I am ready to address this further with the public and the media, I will do so," Blount added. "Until that time, I feel my actions can speak louder than anything I could say. I just want to help my teammates who have been supportive of me."

Blount's actions were caught on national television. As players from Boise State and Oregon greeted each other in the middle of the field following the game, which was won by Boise State, Broncos defensive end Byron Hout yelled at Blount and touched him on the shoulder pad. Blount responded with a punch to Hout's face.

Fans then riled Blount as he headed off the field and he had to be restrained by coaches and security before reaching the locker room.

This wasn't the first transgression for Blount at Oregon. He was also suspended in February by the school for "failure to fulfill team obligations."

Blount finished his first season in Oregon with 1,002 rushing yards and a single-season school record 17 touchdowns. He ran for minus-five yards on September 3, bringing his career total to 997 yards.

Posted on Mon, Nov. 09, 2009 12:37 PM

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