UW's Ball speaks publicly for the first time since being attacked

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MADISON - University of Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is due back at practice today, after he suffered a concussion and a bruised jaw on August first when he was attacked on a campus street.

The senior Ball talked about the incident for the first time at the Badgers’ annual Media Day at Camp Randall Stadium yesterday. He said he was out with friends on Madison’s State Street when he got assaulted by five men at 2:15 in the morning. But Ball said it could have been a lot worse, and he was blessed that his injuries were not as bad as they were.

Ball also said he was angry at Internet reports that he was involved in a larger fight the previous week that involved several UW players – and that the attack was retaliation. Ball said there might be a quote, “little connection” between the two incidents – but he said he was not a part of the original fight. Quote, “Something happened at a place I was at. I left, and got attacked four days later.” Ball said he’s not establishing a pattern of bad behavior. He said his only blemish on his record is a trespassing ticket from last spring’s Mifflin Street Block Party and quote, “My track record speaks for itself.”

Ball said he addressed the team about the matter last Friday, and he apologized for causing distractions. He wanted to assure his teammates he’s quote, “all in” for the team – and he wanted everybody to know he’s here to lead the Badgers and win.

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