Heisman Finalist Montee Ball Mugged

By - Kris Fletcher

According to police, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball was attacked by five men near the school's campus early Wednesday morning.

Photo by: Jeff Gross

Ball says he didn't know his attackers, who ranged in size from 5'8 to 6'3 and were all African-American males.

The police report states that the men knocked Ball to the ground and kicked him repeatedly. He was taken to an area hospital and later released.

Both Ball and the school's athletic department say the injuries he sustained were minor.

"I appreciate the support and thank you for the concerns," the Heisman finalist tweeted. "I will be okay! See you guys in September!"

Ball led the nation in rushing last season with 1,923 yards, and he tied Barry Sanders' Football Bowl Subdivision record with 39 total touchdowns.

In a statement, coach Bret Bielema said:

"My concern right now is for Montee's health and well-being. He 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 expect him to make a full recovery."

Unfortunately, this type of thing has become a pretty common occurrence near the university.

In May, three people were injured in a shooting outside two bars about a block from where Ball was assaulted, and two men mugged a 17-year-old boy on the same block as the shooting during the early morning hours of July 21st. That same day, a 35-year-old man reported to police that someone had been stabbed after leaving a bar on the same block. The next morning, again on that same block -- multiple fights broke out on the sidewalks, forcing police officers to use pepper spray to break up the brawls.

Police say they will deploy extra patrols in the area starting this weekend.

I like how it took a "big man on campus" getting beat down before they finally came to that decision.

Although, I'm sure it's purely a coincidence...