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Oregon making a poor decision
University of Oregon running back LeGarrete Blount, who had been suspended for the entire 2009-2010 season after punching a Boise State player in the aftermath of their season opening loss, is being considered for reinstatement by Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Blount would have to meet certain academic, behavioral and football-related standards to be considered for reinstatement and even then it would be up to the NCAA to allow Blount to return this season. I think it is the NCAA’s responsibility to make sure that he remains on the sidelines.
Coaches in Division I “money” sports — especially high-profile football programs — notoriously break and bend rules to get players into their programs. I have no reason to believe they would abandon that strategy when it comes to retaining talent they were not afraid to underhandedly acquire. I am not saying I don’t believe in second chances, but if he is reinstated, who are we giving a second chance? Blount or the University of Oregon football team?
Blount does not need to be on the football field to improve his moral character or to work on his football skills. He is perfectly capable of boosting his draft stock by proactively proving his attitude will not be a liability on the next level and by putting in the work to have a great combine. Oregon is the real loser if Blount’s suspension sticks. Without their lead rusher, they will struggle to remain relevant in the competitive Pac-10 conference for the remainder of the season.
Ignore the feel good press disseminated by Blount and the University of Oregon trying to put a band-aid on this messy situation. The year-long suspension was handed down for a reason: Blount lost his mind. He punched an opposing player in the face after turning away and would have continued his assault on a group of Boise State fans had he not been restrained. That kind of behavior cannot be condoned and should not be minimalized by revoking the suspension. If Blount truly wants to repent, serving his suspension is the only way for him to do it.
Olympic Upset
This week Rio de Janeiro was decided as the site of the 2016 Olympic Games. The four finalists were Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid, with Chicago thought by many to be the favorite to win the bid. Chicago did not just lose; they were eliminated in the first round of voting, shocking the thousands that had gathered to watch the proceedings live in Daley Square. The blame for the loss has to fall somewhere, and I think it falls squarely on the shoulders of a United States Olympic Committee that is blinded by its sense of entitlement.
It is clearer every day the world is catching up (and in some cases has caught up) to the United States in terms of economic, social and cultural influence. We cannot continue to haphazardly throw our hats into the ring and expect other countries to bow down before us. The U.S. basketball team learned their lesson the hard way in Athens, where a talented but poorly assembled squad was embarrassed by the likes of Puerto Rico and Lithuania. The following year, new leadership was brought in to promote structure and chemistry within the U.S. basketball program, and by the 2008 games, we were gold medalists again.
The United States Olympic Committee as a whole should take note and implement similar policies to keep us competitive in an increasingly global sports economy.
Bangor Daily News