Oregon football player Rob Beard was involved in an altercation Saturday that left the kicker in critical condition. Eugene police spokesperson Melinda Kletzok said officers responded to a call about a fight near the intersection of East 17th Avenue and Hilyard Street early Sunday morning. The caller estimated the dispute involved about 100 people, although Kletzok said this number was exaggerated and was more likely somewhere between 20 and 40 people.
Kletzok said Mike Bowlin, another kicker on the football team, was involved in the dispute, and Beard came to his aid. Beard was then knocked to the ground and was unconscious when police arrived.
“Several subjects were involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical,” Kletzok said.
The sophomore from Fullerton, Calif., was taken into the intensive care unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and was initially listed in critical condition.
As of Monday, Beard was listed in fair condition, having been moved out of ICU earlier that day.
Beard suffered multiple face fractures after reportedly being kicked in the face and underwent surgery yesterday.
University athletic department spokesperson Dave Williford said he is expected to be released from the hospital early this week.
Kletzok said Bowlin “had some injuries, too, but declined medical attention” because his
injuries were not as severe.
Williford said that, although he and the football team hope his condition isn’t severe enough to exempt him from practicing and playing next season, he hopes people also think about Beard’s condition in non-athletic terms.
“I think too oftentimes when student-athletes are involved, people take the sentiment that hopefully he’ll be able to resume his athletic career,” Williford said. “Hopefully he’s able to recover as a University of Oregon student and as an individual — it has nothing to do with his athletic ability. That sometimes gets lost on people.”
Beard made 83 kickoffs during the 2009 regular season, his freshman season. He averaged 42.5 yards with 10 touchbacks, and attempted a 51-yard field goal against UCLA. In high school, Beard led his team to the league title with a 21-1 record, the best record in his school’s history. He earned three letters in football, two in basketball and another two in track and field.
Police are looking for a suspect described as a black male wearing a red sweatshirt. The suspect reportedly fled the scene early Sunday morning in a car with Washington license plates.
Kletzok urges anyone with information about the suspect to call EPD at 682-5111.
News editor Jill Kimball contributed to this report.
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