The start of the 2009 football season marked a new change for the Oregon Ducks. No longer was long-time head coach Mike Bellotti running the show, but rather former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had stepped up to take his place.
Expectations were high for Oregon after a nice win in the Holiday Bowl the year before, and with Jeremiah Masoli and LeGarrette Blount leading the way, there were reasons for optimism.
Unfortunately, that optimism faded away rather quickly, with the Ducks dropping their season-opener to Boise State, 19-8. Things went downhill quickly, as well, with Blount making national headlines in the aftermath of the game, punching Broncos’ DE Byron Hout and dropping him to the ground. Blount had to be restrained and escorted off of the field, and would serve a suspension for the majority of the 2009 season, only coming back at the end of the year.
While some believed that suspending Blount for so long was a little harsh, the Oregon legend said this week that Kelly initially wanted him out for the entire season. In an interview with The Oregonian‘s John Canzano, Blount opened up about that season and admitted that he didn’t feel like his former coach had his back. You can listen to the full interview here.
“I think that is very misconstrued,” Blount said. “Without getting into details about that I feel like me personally along with probably a handful of teammates or so looked out for me and supported me and had my back more so than he did. He wasn’t someone that was calling my phone or reaching out to me on a daily basis type thing. I think it was the pressure of people feeling that I was punished unfairly. I think the pressures of that put it in motion for me to be able to come back and play at the end of the season. Because his initial reaction was to suspend me for the entire year. I don’t think he ever really fully supported me.”
Blount returned for the final regular-season game against the Oregon State Beavers and played in Oregon’s Rose Bowl appearance against Ohio State as well. In total, he had 14 carries for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns in those games.
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