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)

The Links

Abigail Clancy to start the mourning...... Brian Westbrook joins LT on the unemployment line...... Who wants Julius Peppers?...... The top 100 baseball prospects...... The Angels have a few lady's men on their team...... The Steelers interested in LT?..... Random NFL connections at the Olympics...... I know kt1000 agrees with this..... Living and dying by the 3 in the NBA...... Tony Kornheiser won't be on 'PTI' for a while...... With Charlie Sheen in rehab, what's next for his CBS sitcom?...... Did you get your free pancakes from IHOP yesterday?

Men's hockey gold medal game will be tape delayed on the West Coast (SB Nation)

NFL wants blood testing for HGH (PFT)

How's that Rich Rodriguez experiment working in Michigan? (Detroit News)

I love watching the Dodgers self-destruct like this (Yahoo Sports)

An epic radio interview between Oregonian columnist John Canzano and Oregon football coach Chip Kelly (Bald Face Truth)

The women of Curling (TMZ Sports)

Do we really need another 'Die Hard' movie? (Film Drunk)

Is the NFL combine really that important? (Waiting for Next Year)

Five reasons why Canada will beat Russia (Puck Daddy)

Only Vince Carter will be known more for an 85-foot shot than his NBA career (Howard the Dunk)



Howard Stern fan claiming to be Brian Westbrook punks SportsCenter (The 700 Level)

The Links

Nelly Furtado to start off the week...... USA! USA! USA!...... Martin Brodeur is taking the brunt of the blame for Canada's loss...... Who knew Brian Rafalski was a scoring machine?...... Canadians are not too happy this mourning...... I'm proud to be an arrogant American today...... What went wrong Democrats?...... Bode Miller finally won a Gold medal...... Canada is also doing poorly in the medal count...... I didn't like 'Shutter Island' but it made a lot of money this weekend

Day 11 Olympic schedule (SB Nation)

How has "own the podium" worked for Canada? (CNBC)

Ryan Miller was quite impressive last night in goal (Seattle Times)

Chip Kelly has lost control of Oregon (The Oregonian)

Tebow won't throw at the Combine (Fanhouse)

The Arena Football League is back! (Kegeratornation)

Steve Lavin knows: Blogs are watching (Larry Brown Sports)

A 7-way tie for the Pac-10 title is still possible (Jake's Take on Sports)

A fan died after being hit by debris at a NHRA race (USA Today)

Interesting read on how Obama is losing the people who voted for him (Althouse)

On the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, I present to you a little kid who memorized Herb Brooks' speech before the USA-Soviet game

The Links

Christina Hendricks again because I'm obsessed with her...... Oh those poor Vikings fans...... Want to know how to read an NFL defense?....... Radical idea to change the NCAA's budget...... Hey Orioles fans, are you ready for FanFest 2010?....... Amare Stoudemire trade talks are heating up again...... How Steve Nash shines in basketball and business...... Coastal Carolina receiving top 25 votes, huh?...... How to improve OT coin-toss rules...... Lakers visit the White House and Obama yesterday

Rumor: Monta Ellis for Ray Allen? (Reds Army)

Adrian Peterson's fumbles caused by french fry grease? (Deadspin)

If Favre retires, was he worth it for the Vikings? (The Scores Report)

ESPN criticizes the Flyers Twitter, Flyers.com defend actions (700 Level)

Watch out! Peter Vecsey is at it again (NY Post)

Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli might have stolen some stuff from frat students (Buster Sports)

Does anyone want to play in the Pro Bowl? (The Sporting Blog)

Overweight women crushed her boyfriend to death (Fox 8)

;

Vikings fan reacts to Favre's last interception (Kissing Suzy Kolber)

Civil War Open Thread

Game: De facto Pac-10 Championship and a birth into the Rose Bowl

Teams: Oregon vs. Oregon State

Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

State Time: 9:00 PM EST

Announcers and Network: Chris Fowler, Jesse Palmer, Craig James, Erin Andrews

Favorite: (Oregon) -9

49er16's pick: Oregon

Misc: Here is everything you want to know about tonight's game.

Random Thoughts: While I think Oregon wins this game, I think them being 9 point favorites is crazy. Oregon State has just as explosive offense as Oregon and has one of the best running backs in the nation in Jacquizz Rodgers. This should be a fun game from an offensive standpoint. Of course I'm predicting that, which means this game will turn into a 10-9 snoozer.

Leave comments and have fun!

College Football Links

Ah, football has finally returned. Specifically college football. So let's get the day started with college football specific links, to start the day. Throughout the day I will update you on the action, across the nation.

What to look for from Alabama (AL.com)

USC's Matt Barkley will feel the heat in his first college start (LA Times)

Chip Kelly shows great leadership by suspending Blount (OregonLive.com)

Pass happy Oklahoma goes against the original pass happy school BYU (Oklahoman)

Stakes are high for both Michigan and Michigan State (Detroit News)

Ohio State will have trouble against Navy's triple-option (Columbus Dispatch)

People are showing up for the debut of Paulus (Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician)

Bring it Oklahoma (Vanquish The Foe)

Not the way Washington State wanted to start their season: 13 players sick which could be Swine Flu (The Olympian)

College football picks (Mr. College Football)

"The Punch" took the spotlight off of Rich Rodriguez and Michigan for a while (CFT)

Great special teams will be on display between Alabama and Virginia Tech (Rivals)

The Links

Kate Beckinsale to end the week .... LeGarrette Blount is number one on Google trends.... Remember though the Boise St. player made contact with Blount before the punch.... Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest.... Now Obama is trying to indoctrinate our children.... Rock Band: The Beatles.

Say a prayer for Ernie Harwell, he was diagnosed with incurable cancer (Free Press)

Not the greatest debut for Chip Kelly at Oregon (Dr. Saturday)

LeGarrett Blount must leave Oregon (The Oregonian)

Van Jones: I am not a 9/11 Truther, I just play one on TV(Another Black Conservative)

Embarrassed to be an Oregon fan (Addicted to Quack)

You know it was still a huge win for Boise St? (Idaho Statesman)

Here's to the small schools breaking through the BCS (WaPo)

Allen Iverson is finally suppose to make up his mind whether or not he will sign with Memphis (Commercial Appeal)

Did you see Mark May's trendy new glasses? (Sports Hernia)

Idiot robs a bank, but leaves his wallet behind. The cops have identified him (AOL News)

Dunkin Divas

The Links

Kelly Spencer to start the mourning.... The Home Run Derby sucked.... Hayden Panettiere will appear nude in her next movie..... When did Chuck E. Cheese become so dangerous?..... What does love have to do with it?..... It's impossible to overrate Dale Earnhardt Jr...... Randy Couture reacts to Brock Lesnar..... Derrick Mason was a great receiver

Nate Robinson to play basketball in Greece? (Newsday)

Glowing baseballs or Glowing hockey pucks, your choice? (Big League Stew)

Dick Stockton will like to talk to you about your hair (Awful Announcing)

Bud Selig can't have it both ways (Star-Telegram)

The Civil War shows us why the Red Sox won't win another World Series (Major League Jerk)

Andre Rison is now telling kids that he is the greatest receiver (PFT)

You can see just a little bruise on Erin Andrews' chin (Right Field Bleachers)

Tyler Hansbrough face! (Sports Hernia)

Good thing I didn't go to school in Oregon (Christian Science Monitor)

Meet ESPN's new Ombudsman (Fangs Bites)

Oregon and Ernie Kent Need To Move On

John Canzano of the Oregonian brings up an issue the folks in Eugene have brought up for awhile now. Oregon and basketball coach Ernie Kent need to part ways.

This season has been an disaster for the Oregon Ducks. They are 8-22 overall and 2-16 in the Pac-10. They are irrelevant. Especially in a league that will most likely improve over the next couple of seasons.

Every team except Oregon is going to improve. UCLA will stay strong. USC is rebuilding after losing a lot last year. California is turning heads with Mike Montgomery. Stanford will rebuild with Johny Dawkins. Arizona can make the tournament this year, and most likely find a great coach next year. Arizona St. has improved dramatically. Washington will also rebuild because Lorenzo Romar is one hell of an recruiter. Washington St. has a great head coach in Tony Bennett. And their rival Oregon St. grab headlines by naming Obama's brother-in-law Craig Robinson as their head coach. Which has set the Pac-10 on fire. So this only leaves out Kent and Oregon.

Kent is the longest tenured head coach in the Pac-10 and has had success at Oregon. He has lead them to two elite eights. But recently the fans have turned on Kent as the program has struggled.

So who do you replace him with? Canzano has some choices:

"The job of hiring the next coach is for a UO search committee. It will take a big personality or proven winner to thrive in Eugene. Which is why any search should start with an inquiry to Mark Few at Gonzaga, a close friend of incumbent Ducks athletic director Pat Kilkenny. Also, with Tubby Smith at Minnesota, who is the Nike guy who took Kentucky to the elite eight four times in 10 seasons at Kentucky. There's also Steve Alford at New Mexico. And Billy Grier at San Diego. Almost anyone is a possibility, because with the new arena, and the backing of a sneaker giant, the job at Oregon ends up one of the most intriguing gigs in the nation."

Mark Few makes the most sense. He knows the area because he coaches in Washington. Also it's time for him to coach elsewhere. He has done a remarkable job at Gonzaga and has turned that program into a dynasty. Now he needs to start thinking big picture.

Also St. Mary's coach Randy Bennett would also be a great choice. He has turned around the Gaels program by recruiting players that other schools wouldn't have even thought of. He is creative and energetic enough for the crazy fans in Oregon.

Oregon is building a new arena and has the financial support of Nike owner Phil Knight. They have the funding and resources that other schools could only dream of. They should be a top 20 school every year.

Kent has had a nice run, but there is always a time when you need to move on. Both Kent and Oregon need to go their separate ways.