Montee Ball Update: Police Aware of Fight Involving Badger Players

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) avoids a tackle by Oregon Ducks cornerback Avery Patterson (31) in the 2012 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE

Things have been in a state of suspended animation since news broke that Montee Ball might have been involved in a fight and that said fight might have led to the attack against Ball on campus in the early morning hours of August 1. But now there are new developments as indicated in a Madison police report. The pertinent details are these: Police know there was a fight on the night of July 27 involving Badger players, other UW students and some non-students, and that a man was injured in this fight severely enough to require hospital care. But – here’s the important part – there is no indication as yet that Montee Ball himself was actually involved in this fight.

Ball for his part has been adamant in denying his involvement in the fight. Shortly after TMZ posted a story linking him to the incident, Ball tweeted “The report that I was involved in a fight is totally false.” Ball has also told Bret Bielema that he was not involved in the fight. The Badgers have given no indication that they intend to discipline Ball for anything, and the only concern now is about his health after reports that he suffered a concussion in the apparent (misguided) retaliation attack against him on August 1. On that score, there is good news. As of today the team is saying that Ball will be ready for full participation in practice come game week. “Bielema said Ball will do conditioning this week, non-contact drills 2nd week,” said Tom Mulhern.

So it appears Ball is in the clear as regards allegations of fighting. But what about the unnamed Badger players in the police report? It could mean nothing, but two Badgers were held out of Monday’s first session of fall practice without explanation. As Tom Mulhern tweeted, “WR Isaiah Williams and LB Cody Byers not in camp, could rejoin team. Bielema would not comment on potential link to fight.” The non-comment amounts to a confirmation that Williams and Byers were in some way involved in the rumble. But we’ll have to wait on official word for that.