LeGarrette Blount facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
LeGarrette Blount

Blount in 2017
No. 27, 29
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1986-12-05) December 5, 1986 (age 38) Madison, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	247 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:	Perry (FL) Taylor County
College:	East Mississippi CC (2006–2007) Oregon (2008–2009)
Undrafted:	2010
Career history
Tennessee Titans (2010)* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010–2012) New England Patriots (2013) Pittsburgh Steelers (2014) New England Patriots (2014–2016) Philadelphia Eagles (2017) Detroit Lions (2018)
Career highlights and awards
3× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LII) NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2016) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2010)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 6,306 Rushing average: 4.2 Rushing touchdowns: 56 Receptions: 64 Receiving yards: 454 Receiving touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

LeGarrette Montez Blount (born December 5, 1986) is a former professional football running back. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football at the University of Oregon. Before that, he played at East Mississippi Community College. He was not chosen in the 2010 NFL draft. He started his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent.

Blount had his biggest successes with the New England Patriots. He won two Super Bowl titles with them. In the 2016 season, he led the league in rushing touchdowns. After winning Super Bowls with the Patriots, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He then won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles. This made him one of only six players to win Super Bowls in a row with different teams. He scored 11 playoff rushing touchdowns. This ties him for the sixth-most in NFL history.

Early Life and High School Sports

LeGarrette Blount was born on December 5, 1986, in Madison, Florida. His parents are Gary and Barbara Blount. He has two siblings. Blount went to Taylor County High School in Perry, Florida. He was a star in two sports: football and track & field.

In high school football, he played for four years. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of those years. He was named a second-team All-state player in his senior year. In track and field, he was also a strong athlete. After high school, he went to junior college at East Mississippi Community College. He did not get a scholarship to a big university right away.

College Football Journey

Playing at East Mississippi Community College

While at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi, Blount was a standout player. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in both of his seasons there. He gained a total of 2,292 yards and scored 18 rushing touchdowns. One highlight was a 273-yard game with three touchdowns. This happened in a win against Northeast Mississippi Community College. He led the state of Mississippi in rushing yards in 2006.

By the end of his second year, Blount was a top junior college player. He was named the best junior college running back in the country. Many big schools wanted him to play for them. He decided to commit to the Oregon Ducks in December 2007. Coaches at Oregon thought he was similar to former NFL running back Reuben Droughns.

Time with the Oregon Ducks

Blount on the opening day of the 2009 season at Boise State

Blount started his junior year at Oregon. He shared the running back role with senior Jeremiah Johnson. They both had great games, including a big win over the Washington State Cougars. Blount set a new school record with 17 rushing touchdowns in one season. He also rushed for over 1,000 yards. He and Johnson were only the second pair in team history to both rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season.

Blount had some challenges during this time. He was suspended for a quarter of a game for not following team rules. After the season, he missed some workouts. The coach, Mike Bellotti, suspended him indefinitely. This was for "failure to fulfill team obligations."

Blount worked to improve his attendance and attitude. He was brought back to the team by new coach Chip Kelly. He trained hard and aimed for a great season in 2009.

The Boise State Incident

The Ducks started their 2009 season with a loss to the Boise State Broncos. After the game, a disagreement happened between Blount and a Boise State player. Blount reacted poorly and was involved in a physical confrontation. He also accidentally hit a teammate who was trying to stop him.

As he was leaving the field, Blount had another brief interaction with some fans. He later apologized for his actions. He said he "lost his head" and should not have reacted that way.

Suspension and Return

Oregon coach Chip Kelly suspended Blount for the rest of the 2009 season. Coach Kelly said Blount's actions were "unacceptable." Blount was allowed to keep his scholarship and practice with the team. Many sports writers debated if the suspension was too harsh.

Blount called the Boise State player and coach to apologize. He continued to practice with the team. On October 1, Blount's apology letter was published. Coach Kelly later announced a plan for Blount to return to games. The conference approved his return for a game in November.

Blount played in the final game of the season against Oregon State. He scored a touchdown that helped the Ducks win. This win earned them a spot in the 2010 Rose Bowl.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

Starting with the Titans and Buccaneers

Blount was not drafted by an NFL team in 2010. However, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent. During training camp, he was involved in a disagreement with a teammate. He was later released by the Titans.

On September 6, 2010, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed Blount. He played his first NFL game in Week 3. On October 31, 2010, Blount had a breakout game. He rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 16, he rushed for a career-high 164 yards. By the end of his first season, Blount had over 1,000 rushing yards. He was the most successful rookie running back that year. He earned a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.

In 2011, Blount continued to show his strong running. He scored a game-winning touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. He also had a 54-yard touchdown run against the Packers. In 2012, he had less playing time. He finished the season with 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

First Time with the New England Patriots

Taking a handoff from Tom Brady in 2013.

On April 27, 2013, Blount was traded to the New England Patriots. He made his Patriots debut in September. In Week 15, he scored two rushing touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens. On December 29, he had a career-high 189 rushing yards. He also returned two kickoffs for 145 yards. This earned him NFL Ground Player of the Week honors. He finished the season with 772 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

The Patriots made the playoffs. In the Divisional Round, Blount rushed for 166 yards and four touchdowns. This helped the Patriots win 43–22 against the Indianapolis Colts. In the AFC Championship, he had limited success as the Patriots lost.

Brief Time with the Pittsburgh Steelers

On March 28, 2014, Blount signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He scored his first touchdown as a Steeler in September. He also had a 118-yard game against the Carolina Panthers. This was his only 100-plus yard game with the Steelers.

In November 2014, Blount left a game early. He was then released by the Steelers. He finished his time with them with 266 yards and two touchdowns.

Second Time with the New England Patriots

Blount with the New England Patriots in 2014

2014 Season and Super Bowl XLIX

On November 20, 2014, Blount signed a two-year deal to return to the Patriots. In his first game back, he rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 281 rushing yards and three touchdowns in five games.

The Patriots made the playoffs again. In the AFC Championship Game, Blount had a huge game. He rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns. This helped the Patriots win 45–7 against the Colts. He became the Patriots' leader in postseason rushing touchdowns. In Super Bowl XLIX, Blount rushed for 40 yards. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28–24, and Blount earned his first Super Bowl ring.

2015 Season

Blount was suspended for the first game of the 2015 season. On September 27, 2015, he scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns. This was against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also caught his first career receiving touchdown against the Colts. On November 8, he rushed for a season-high 129 yards.

In December 2015, Blount was injured and missed the rest of the season. He finished the year with 703 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in 12 games.

2016 Season and Super Bowl LI

Blount re-signed with the Patriots for the 2016 season. In the season opener, he had 70 rushing yards and a touchdown. The next week, he rushed for 123 yards. He led the league in rushing yards after three games. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.

On October 23, Blount rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers. This was his first time playing in Pittsburgh since being released by them. He continued to score touchdowns throughout the season. On December 12, he scored his 14th touchdown and reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He set a new Patriots franchise record with 18 rushing touchdowns in a season.

Blount finished the season with 1,161 rushing yards. His 18 touchdowns led the league. The Patriots finished the season with a 14–2 record. In the playoffs, Blount scored a touchdown in the AFC Championship. The Patriots won and advanced to Super Bowl LI. In the Super Bowl, Blount had 31 rushing yards. The Patriots won, giving Blount his second Super Bowl championship.

Philadelphia Eagles and Super Bowl LII

On May 17, 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Blount. He made his Eagles debut in September. He had a receiving touchdown in that game. In Week 4, he rushed for 136 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Eagles had a great season, finishing 13–3. Blount ended the season with 766 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

In the playoffs, Blount scored a rushing touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles won and moved on to the NFC Championship. He scored another touchdown against the Vikings in that game. The Eagles won again, sending Blount to his third Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl LII, Blount rushed for 90 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown run. The Eagles won against his former team, the Patriots, 41–33. This gave Blount his third Super Bowl championship. It was also the Eagles' first Super Bowl win ever. Blount became one of only six players to win back-to-back Super Bowls with different teams.

Detroit Lions and Retirement

On March 16, 2018, Blount signed with the Detroit Lions. In Week 2, he was ejected from a game after a disagreement on the sidelines. In Week 5, he scored two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers. He had his best game of the season in Week 12 with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Blount finished the 2018 season with 418 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

LeGarrette Blount announced his retirement from football on December 5, 2020.

NFL Career Statistics

Postseason Statistics

NFL Records

Patriots Team Records

• Most rushing touchdowns in a season: 18 (2016)

See also

In Spanish: LeGarrette Blount para niños