Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball was, according to a Madison police report, involved in a fight that led to his attack last week. (Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE)
It was thought to initially be a random act of violence against Wisconsin Badger’s running back Montee Ball, but Madison police are beginning to suspect that might not be the case.
In a report filed at the Madison Police Department, new evidence suggets that there was a fight the night prior to Ball’s attack and that Ball may have been a participant in the fight which led to the attack.
“Although Montee Ball was assaulted on a public street,” police chief Noble Wray said. ”This incident does not fit the pattern of random violence that we have seen in recent weeks in downtown Madison.”
In a report issued by officer Howard Payne, Madison police determined that ”Montee Ball was present at the location of that fight, but we have no information that leads us to believe that he had any involvement in that particular event.”
Ball responded to both the Payne report and a TMZ.com report that he was responsible for his own jumping on Thursday:
The report that I was involved in a fight is totally false.
— Montee Ball (@M_Ball28) August 2, 2012
The University of Wisconsin and head coach Bret Bielema have not commented on whether or not Ball will receive any punishment for the incident, which is still in the beginning stages of the investigation.
“My concern right now is for Montee’s health and well-being,” coach Bielema said Wednesday in a 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 opens their season September 1st against Northern Iowa.
