I am disappointed in the Oregon athletic department’s decision to reinstate running back LeGarrette Blount from his season-long suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after the Ducks’ 19-8 loss to the Broncos on Sept. 3.
I am disappointed in University President Richard Lariviere, who had an opportunity to veto the decision but chose not to do so. I am disappointed in Pacific-10 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott, whose office held the final verdict on Blount’s future with the Oregon football team and opted to let him play.
I believe Blount should have remained suspended for the rest of the football season, in accordance with the punishment initially handed down by head coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Mike Bellotti. I believe Blount should have kept his scholarship and been permitted to use facilities and services available to student-athletes at this school. I believe the Oregon coaching staff has every right to assist Blount in his attempts to pursue an NFL career following the college football season.
The strongest argument to date regarding Blount’s reinstatement is the proverbial book was unfairly thrown at him. Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes received only half a game’s suspension (later converted to a full game) after performing an eye-gouging maneuver on Georgia running back Washaun Ealey. Last month, Idaho linebacker Tre’Shawn Robinson threw a punch in a game against San Jose State and was reprimanded, but not suspended. Recently, however, the NCAA ruled that Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant would be suspended for the rest of the season for lying about meeting with former NFL star Deion Sanders in an implicit attempt by Sanders to become Bryant’s agent. These suspensions show no correlation between actions, and we should not judge one punishment by another as a result.
Other supporters have argued that, true to Kelly’s words, this is not a “football” decision and Blount is not being reinstated to help Oregon win football games. They point to Blount’s current position on the Oregon depth chart — fifth — as justification.
Right now, it does not look like a football decision. But it becomes a football decision the moment Blount plays his next collegiate snap. Kelly will be scrutinized with every play that Blount sees the field, a distraction he does not need and does not want. Kelly had grown hostile in recent weeks toward members of the media who are asking him questions about Blount. He will invariably get more questions directed at him in the coming weeks.
Kelly has, to many who support this decision, taken a step back and examined the incident with fresh eyes, allowing him to more clearly judge Blount’s actions on that day. This is illogical. Say that, heaven forbid, some Oregon player punches an Arizona Wildcats player in Oregon’s next road game. That player would be kicked out of school, scholarship revoked, without a doubt in my mind. There is no way the Oregon athletic department will deal with that situation again, and it should not have prolonged the handling of this one any more than it did.
Blount has handled himself with grace following the incident, most notably in a letter to the Emerald that was published on Oct. 1, apologizing for his actions. Whether or not it was ghostwritten, as many skeptics believe, a legitimate sentiment came through that I believe — and have been told — Blount shares. He is sorry. Sorry, unfortunately, should not be the
end-all, be-all of this decision.
Which is why I am perhaps most disappointed with Lariviere. The University president is correct to think, in many ways, the athletic department can conduct its own business. He ought to step in, however, when principles, words and contracts are compromised. He should have never allowed any backtracking on the initial punishment because the athletic department must be held accountable in its decisions in handling players. These athletes, after all, are students too.
Oregon athletics has prided itself on being different, cultivating success in unique ways. The handling of Blount’s reinstatement has shown me that, in the face of any adversity, Oregon has no qualms about reverting back to the status quo for college athletics. That should disappoint Oregon fans in all walks of life.
[email protected]