Wisconsin running back Montee Ball attacked

MADISON, Wis. — Five men roughed up star Wisconsin running back Montee Ball in an unprovoked attack near campus early Wednesday, inflicting head injuries serious enough to send him to the hospital, authorities said.

Ball was walking down a street around 2:15 a.m. after “socializing” with friends, police spokesman Joel DeSpain said. Two friends walking ahead of him turned around and saw Ball on the ground. Five men had surrounded him and were kicking him in the head and chest, DeSpain said.

One of his friends and a man across the street moved to help Ball and the attackers fled, DeSpain said. Witnesses said Ball may have exchanged words with the men before they attacked him, but the motive for the assault remains unclear.

“We’re going to take a look at whether the victim was targeted for who he is,” DeSpain said.

Ball, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a junior, was taken to a hospital with head injuries, police said. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said Ball was released and under the care of the school’s sports medicine staff.

The Badgers open practice Monday and the season-opener at home is Sept. 1 against Northern Iowa. Bielema said his staff will evaluate Ball in the coming days but he expects the senior to make a full recovery.

Wisconsin spokesman Brian Lucas said Ball was resting at home Wednesday. He said he didn’t know the extent of Ball’s injuries, where Ball was going at the time of the attack or whether other players were with him. Most of the team has left campus for one last week off before camp begins, he said.

Ball posted Twitter entries reassuring his fans he’ll be all right.

“I appreciate the support and thank you for the concerns,” Ball wrote. “I will be okay! See you guys in September!”

Ball had a stellar season last year, scoring 39 touchdowns to tie Barry Sanders’ NCAA record. He finished the year with 1,923 yards rushing and 2,229 all-purpose yards, second in Wisconsin history only to Ron Dayne’s 2,242 yards in 1996. Ball capped the season by rushing for 164 yards and a touchdown in the Badgers’ 45-38 loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

He announced days after the bowl game to return for his senior season after NFL evaluators told him he would have likely been a third-round pick.

Police issued Ball a trespassing ticket in May after he stepped unwanted onto a Madison porch during an annual end-of-the-year student street party.

The area were Ball was attacked is on the edge of the Wisconsin campus and features multiple bars. Police have been dealing with what they say are combative crowds in the vicinity all summer.

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

Police deployed extra patrols in the area last weekend.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Jackon’s Samuel Song hits the ball during a doubles match against Kamiak on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Mill Creek. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson takes down Shorewood in battle of unbeatens

The Timberwolves improved to 9-0 while the Stormrays dropped to 7-1 after a 6-1 meet.

Silvertips forward Zackary Shantz looks for a pass around Wild defenseman Darian Rolsing during Everett's 4-3 shootout win against Wenatchee at Angel of the Winds Arena on Sept. 20, 2025. Shantz had a natural hat trick to overcome a 3-0 deficit and force overtime. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shantz hat trick sparks comeback win for Tips

Everett wins season-opener 4-3 in shootout against Wenatchee on Saturday.

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker II (9) tries to hurdle a New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (4) on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks come alive at Lumen, crush New Orleans

Rookie Tory Horton’s big day sparks rout of Saints.

Edmonds-Woodway, Shorewood dominate to stay perfect atop Wesco South

Lake Stevens, Arlington and Glacier Peak also win in 4A routs.

Shorewood’s Lukas Wanke leaps in the air above Monroe’s Josh Ward to make a catch for a touchdown during the game on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorewood football topples Monroe after losing starting quarterback

Second-string Julien Woodruff steps in to lead the Stormrays to a 42-21 victory.

Weekend prep roundup for Sept. 19-20

Meadowdale volleyball sweeps for first win.

Lake Stevens’ Amira Yaser reacts to scoring a goal in the final seconds to tie the game against Shorecrest on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens girls soccer secures last-second draw

Vikings senior Amira Yaser ties it 1-1 in the final minute against Shorecrest.

Lake Stevens’ Ella Iseminger bumps the ball during the 4A district semifinal game on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep volleyball roundup for Thursday, Sept. 18

Arlington, Lake Stevens earn dominant sweeps.

Prep girls soccer roundup for Thursday, Sept. 18

Monroe freshman Finley Greear’s hat trick highlights a dominant win for the Bearcats.

The Seahawks offensive line's physicality will be a major key against the Saints on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Physicality leads the Seahawks’ three keys to beat Saints

An 0-2 team coming into Seattle with a young quarterback making one… Continue reading

Prep roundup for Thursday, Sept. 18

Cascade, Lake Stevens girls swimming earn wins.

Prep boys tennis roundup for Thursday, Sept. 18

Jackson, Snohomish and Shorewood stay perfect with wins.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.