I would like to give my opinion on the LeGarrette Blount presentation that was given today in class by Dustin. As we all know LeGarrette Blount who is a running back for the Oregon Ducks punched Boise State player Byron Hout in the face following Oregon's tough opening week loss this season. The next day Blount was immediately suspended for the rest of his senior season by new coach Chip Kelly. Going into the season Blount was considered an NFL prospect. I believe his actions were wrong and he negatively represented the University of Oregon. I believe once a decision is made it should stay that way. In this case Oregon recently reinstated Blount and his is eligible to play the remainder of the season. Even though I don't agree about changing the original decision I do believe Blount deserves another chance. Everybody makes mistakes and the last thing Blount deserves is his future ruined. Blount should be able to finish the season so he can salvage whats left of his NFL draft stock. Blount apologized for the incident and deserves a second chance. Ron Artest had a similar incident in the NBA and was suspended the entire season. The difference is Artest got to play again the next season. In this case this was Blount's last year at the University of Oregon. I am happy he can now prove to NFL scouts that he can play in the NFL and hopefully he will get drafted. I just think in the future if a similar incident happens again, the punishment stays in tact the whole season and not changed.
What would have helped in this situation is if the coach had deferred making the pronouncement of what his punishment was going to be until later. By making the announcement the next day, he was still responding in the heat of the moment. By changing his mind, he is viewed as not being a man of his word. Coaches are so often second-guessed, that if he could have given himself a chance to contemplate the situation, he might not have had to reverse his original decision.
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