Five assailants injure Montee Ball in ‘unprovoked assault’

Wisconsin’s Montee Ball was attacked last night in what the Madison Police are calling and unprovoked incident (Credit: AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

In a press release, Wisconsin confirmed that the All-American running back “was the victim of what Madison Police are investigating as an ‘unprovoked assault’ early Wednesday morning.”  According to the police report provided by the school, Ball was attacked by five black males in the city of Madison.

The police report describes the attack.

“A 21-year old man was attacked while walking in the 500 block of University Ave. early this morning. Witnesses said five men jumped the victim. He was knocked to the ground and kicked. The victim was taken to a hospital with head injuries. It does not appear he knew his attackers and this is being investigated as an unprovoked assault. The criminals were last seen running south on N. Frances St. toward the Kohl Center.”

Currently, no one has been arrested in connection to the crime. The Madison Police Department has labeled the crime as a battery. Ball sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment but has since been released.

“My concern right now is for Montee’s health and well-being. 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.”

Last season, Ball led the country in rushing yards (1,923) and finished third in yards per game (137.4).  A Heisman finalist last season, Ball is among the handful ofpreseason favorites for the award heading into 2012.