If you're any kind of sports fan, you've probably seen Boise St DE Byron Hout get remixed by LeGarrette Blount. LeGarrette Blount has since been crucified publicly and nationally -- and deservedly so. There was also a latent backlash at Byron Hout.
I will admit that when I first saw the punch, I was pleased. I know this may anger some but quite frankly, let's look at this from the perspective of 5 seconds before the punch. A deflated, embarassed, and probably still emotionally charged young man is walking off a hostile field in the midst of those that defeated him. Another young man walks up, taps him on the shoulder to get his attention, and taunts him. Was MMA'ing him the best decision? Definitely not. Was it a reaction, an instinct? Probably. But what's lost in this is why did Hout feel the need to rub it in his face?
The presumed logic is that since Blount spoke the words 'We owe this team an ass whooping' earlier in the week the mouthy Blount should have expected some backlash. However, Blount's statement was in reference to last year's game where two Oregon player were hurt and taken out of the game on arguably dirty plays. So for him to state that we owe a team an ass-whooping, in that context, isn't taunting. It is a reference to what many feel was dirty play last year.
All this is to say, the punch that sent Hout's spit flying was actually dirty repaying dirty. Unfortunately, this could very well end Blount's football career. For what it's worth, Blount had been suspended earlier in summer workouts for his aggression so he is no angel in this matter. But for such an unnecessary event to happen and quite possibly ruin this young man's chances at doing and succeeding at his life's goals, well, that is the real tragedy. Hout was Sucker punched indeed, but he was also a sucker and deserved the punch.
I wonder if the public's reaction would be the same if say Terrell Owens taunted Brian Urlacher and Urlacher hauled off and punched Owens when he wasn't looking?
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