LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Montez Blount (born December 5, 1986) is an American football running back for the New England Patriots. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Blount rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons in junior college. He then committed to the Oregon Ducks football program as a junior, for the 2008 season. That year he ran for over 1,000 yards and scored a school record 17 touchdowns.

After the opening game of the 2009 season, Blount was suspended for punching a Boise State University opponent and angrily confronting fans after the nationally televised season-opening loss. Though the suspension was announced to be for the remainder of the season, due to his meeting of specific criteria set by the football staff, he was eventually reinstated after missing eight games.

Early life and high school career

Blount was born December 5, 1986, in Madison, Florida, to Gary and Barbara Blount. He has one brother and one sister. Blount is the great-nephew of avant-garde jazz musician Sun Ra (born Herman Blount). He attended Taylor County High School in the small town of Perry, Florida, where he was a two-sport star in both football and track. In high school football, he was a four-year starter and three-time 1,000-yard rusher. He first reached the milestone as a sophomore and equaled the feat the following season despite playing with a thigh bruise for most of the year. He accorded second-team All-state player honors as a prep senior. In track & field, Blount competed in events such as the 100-meter dash (11.34 s), the long jump (22-1 or 6.75m) and the shot put (53-2 or 16.22m). He was also a member of the 4x100m squad.