Police Arrest Three For Montee Ball Assault

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

Arrests are finally being made in the Montee Ball assault case. Last month the Wisconsin running back was attacked by up to five men while walking alone on University Ave. in the early morning. Last night, police arrested 3 men – Wendell Venerable, Deonte Wilson and Robert Wilks – in connection with the assault and charged them with substantial battery.

The attack on Ball was originally thought to be unprovoked, then it came to light that Ball may have been present during a fight involving some of his teammates and possible acquaintances of the men who attacked him, leading to speculation that the assault may have been retaliatory. Police investigated and discovered there was a fight involving Wisconsin players but so far there is no evidence that Ball himself was involved, and indeed Ball has maintained all along that he was not in any fight.

Ball suffered a concussion as a result of the attack but he has recovered from the injury and is back to full participation in practice. He’s expected to be 100% ready to roll on Saturday when the Badgers take the field for their opener against Northern Iowa. Hopefully this story will provide no further distraction for Ball as he embarks upon a potential Heisman trophy campaign.