Byron Hout Finally Gives His Side of the LaGarrette Blount Punch Story

Eleven months later, Boise State linebacker Bryon Hout finally spoke about the night when former Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount punched him right in the chops after Boise State's victory over Oregon.

When asked what Hout said to Blount he responded, "'How 'bout that [blank]-whuppin'. That’s what I said."

Hout was not allowed to speak to the media after the incident so his side of the story was never revealed until now. There was speculation that Hout called Blount a derogatory name, but he said it was just emotion that got to the best of them.

"The whole incident was emotion," Hout said. "Emotions were running high from the game and I think that just carried over to the whole incident. I kind of learned that you can't let emotions do that anymore. You have to be in control of your emotions. A great football player is in control of his emotions out there. You can't just be out there running wild." 

Hout said he spoke to Blount the following day after the incident. He went on to say that both players were remorseful and they both know this incident will follow them wherever they go from here.

“It’s always going to be a shadow, I guess, in my career — a dark point. But I just try to learn from it. Everything happens for a reason and that happened to teach me and hopefully a lot of other players that you can’t let your emotions get out of control. … My kids are going to see it. It’s going to be something I’m going to have to explain to them.”

Looking back all emotions were high after that game. Boise State just defeated Oregon at home setting up a perfect season. The punch amplified those emotions. It became an instant racial hot point because Hout is white and Blount is black. The majority of people (mostly white) wanted Blount kicked off the Oregon team. Another percentage of people (Oregon fans and African-Americans) were wondering why Blount was suspended while Hout was given a slap on the wrist?  I'm just glad that both men moved on and reconciled with each other. In the end that is all what matters.

(From the Wiz of Odds via Idaho Statesman)