LeGarrette Blount's punch heard around the Web
Video of Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount punching Boise State defensive end Byron Hout after the Ducks' 19-8 loss to the Broncos quickly became one of the most searched-for commodities on the Web Friday.
The incident, shown live to a national ESPN audience Thursday night, shows a helmetless Hout allegedly taunting Blount, and Blount responding with a right-cross to Hout's jaw. Blount is restrained by Oregon coaches and players, and later pushed off the field by Broncos Stadium security and police after making threatening moves toward heckling Oregon fans in the stands.
The incident has been met with almost universal condemnation. Sports columnists are calling for Blount's suspension or dismissal from the team, and some are even talking about assault charges. The Pac-10 has yet to review the tape, but was expected to do so Friday afternoon. [Update 5:22 EDT: Oregon has suspended Blount for the remainder of the season.]
Some videos of the incident are still up on YouTube and other sites, but many have been pulled down as the result of ESPN copyright claims.
Many fans took to Twitter to discuss and share links to video of the incident. This tweet from Keith Becker in response to the incident's popularity gives a perspective many Oregon fans no-doubt share:
Legarrette Blount is the most popular search on yahoo. That feels like a punch in the gut. Thanks a lot for your -5 yards and a lost season.
Another tweeter posted a link to an animated gif of the punch, looped over and over. What will the Web think of next?
