punching a Boise State player in the wake of the season opener, has been allowed
to rejoin the Ducks.
The university requested Blount's reinstatement, which
was approved by Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott on Monday.
Blount will be able to play for the No. 14 Ducks on
Saturday night when they host Arizona State. He missed eight games.
Blount issued a statement saying he was grateful to
Oregon coach Chip Kelly for giving him a second chance.
"Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting
impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise," he said.
Blount punched Byron Hout following the nationally
televised opener, bringing the Broncos' defensive end to his knees. The next day
he was suspended for the season by Kelly, but he was allowed to keep his
scholarship and practice with the team.
Kelly later said that if Blount met certain academic and
behavioral conditions, he would be allowed to return. The earliest possible date
for his reinstatement was last Saturday's game against Stanford, but the Ducks
waited until this week to bring him back. Kelly insisted there was no delay in
Blount's return.
Kelly would not discuss the special requirements for
reinstatement, calling it a private issue.
Kelly recommended Blount's return to athletic director
Mike Bellotti on Sunday night. It was approved by university president Richard
Lariviere before being turned over to the conference for approval.
"After a thorough review of the situation, I am
convinced LeGarrette Blount paid a significant and appropriate price for the
mistakes he made on the field, and that he has learned important life-long
lessons," Scott said.
Blount and Kelly addressed the team on Monday morning.
"He just apologized to them again for the incident," and
told them he was anxious to rejoin the team," Kelly said. Blount practiced with
the team afterward.
Blount said in his statement released by the university
that he would not speak to reporters.
"Until that time, I feel my actions can speak louder
than anything I could say. I just want to help my teammates who have been
supportive of me," his statement said.
Blount rushed for 1,002 yards last season. Redshirt
freshman LaMichael James emerged as Oregon's starter in his absence.
James has run for 1,043 yards so far this season,
becoming the first Oregon freshman to go over 1,000 yards rushing. He has rushed
for eight touchdowns.
Oregon (7-2, 5-1 Pac-10) is coming off a 51-42 loss at
Stanford this past Saturday. After Arizona State, the Ducks play at Arizona and
return home to face Oregon State in the annual Civil War rivalry game.
Kelly said James will remain his starter against the Sun
Devils. Blount's participation will depend on how he does in practice this week
and whether there are any injuries, the coach added.
Kelly also said he was unconcerned about reaction to
Blount's reinstatement.
"If I based this program on what public opinion is, I'd
have a lot of problems," he said.