LeGarrette Blount is known by most sports fans for only one reason: punching Boise State defensive lineman Byron Hout after a loss. While Hout confirmed he was talking trash after the win, it appears as if there was not only a pattern of punching for Blount, but also a trend of covering up by Oregon.
Since Blount was caught on video punching a teammate during Tennessee Titans practice this week, Oregonian columnist John Canzano figured it would be a good time to tell the story of Blount hitting coach Mike Bellotti as we learned via Sports by Brooks.
As the story goes, a typical fight broke out during an Oregon practice and coach Mike Bellotti went to break it up. Bellotti was accidentally punched but the point still stands: Blount, for at least the third time, was swinging at a teammate. Bellotti acknowledged something happened but says Blount never hit him.
Four sources have corroborated Canzano’s version of the story, making me believe Blount’s fist met Bellotti’s face. That brings us to the other problem — people have covered up for his behavior. Whether it’s Bellotti denying the story now or Jeff Fisher saying he didn’t have a problem with Blount’s actions, the pattern is clear: people will continue to give him the benefit of the doubt.
You’re setting yourself up for trouble when that is the case. As for Blount, he’s not good enough to keep popping teammates and hold onto a job. He’s going to find himself out of work before too long at which point he might do well to consider a career in boxing.
Sources:
Canzano: LeGarrette Blount – before Boise State, before Tennessee – punched Oregon’s Mike Bellotti [The Oregonian]
Blount Once Punched Oregon Head Coach In Face [Sports by Brooks]
