Wisconsin senior running back Montee Ball, the Big Ten’s offensive player of the year for 2011, suffered head injuries during an attack by five men near the Badger campus early Thursday morning, according to police.
According to the incident report, Ball did not appear to know his attackers. The incident is listed only as a battery and is being investigated as an unprovoked assault.
Witnesses told police the men knocked Ball to the ground and began kicking him. Ball, a 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist, was taken to a hospital and released later Wednesday morning.
A team spokesman said Ball spent two hours in the hospital before he was released. Ball’s father said his son’s phone was stolen in the attack. It is not known if he can practice Monday when camp opens. Wisconsin opens the season Sept. 1 at home against Northern Iowa.
“My concern right now is for Montee’s health and well-being,” Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said in a prepared statement. “Montee has been released from the hospital and is under the care and supervision of our sports medicine staff. We will continue to evaluate him as we approach the start of fall camp this weekend. I do expect Montee to make a full recovery.”
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said in a prepared statement: “Montee has been released from the hospital and is under the care and supervision of our sports medicine staff. We will continue to evaluate him as we approach the start of fall camp this weekend. I do expect Montee to make a full recovery.”
In a post to his Twitter account Wednesday, Ballwrote: “I appreciate the support and thank you for the concerns. I will be okay! See you guys in September! #WiscONsin.”
Ball earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors last season after rushing for 1,923 yards and an NCAA-record 33 touchdowns on 307 carries. He also had six receiving touchdowns and his 39 overall TDs tied Barry Sanders’ NCAA record. His 2,229 all-purpose yards were second in Wisconsin history to Ron Dayne’s 2,242 yards in 1996.
