Joe Mixon punched Amelia Molitor.

Knocked her down and, basically, out.

On July 25, 2014, Mixon walked into Pickleman’s Cafe on Campus Corner at the University of Oklahoma one day after his 18th birthday and walked out 24 seconds later.

During his short visit he got into an altercation with Molitor.

She told police that Mixon aimed a homosexual slur at her friend. She shoved Mixon, who feinted at her with a closed fist. She then put her left hand on his chest and slapped his neck with her right hand.

He responded with a right cross that knocked her down and, basically, out.

She sustained, among other injuries, a broken cheekbone and jaw (which was wired shut). Molitor underwent surgery for eight hours three days later.

Mixon was charged with a misdemeanor, acts resulting in gross injury. A plea agreement was eventually reached with the Cleveland County district attorney as Mixon completed 100 hours of community service, cognitive behavior counseling and a one-year deferred sentence.

Head coach Bob Stoops also suspended him from all football-related activities for the 2014 season.

All of this is really coming to light on the grand national stage because the video was released showing the punch.

Of course, we cannot hear what was said, but we see the damage.

And, because of the release of the video, OU put out a statement.

“The university was aware of the content of the video prior to taking action with respect to Joe Mixon. Based on that information, the university suspended and removed Mixon from the football team for one year, during which high standards of conduct were expected and maintained.

“Joe has apologized for his actions and the university hopes that it is an indication that he has learned from his mistakes. We are an educational institution where we hope young people will learn from their mistakes and chart a better future course.”

Under normal circumstances, men do not hit women. Period.

Let’s talk about the statement.

“… during which high standards of conduct were expected and maintained.”

But, apparently, none were expected (or maintained) before then.

Just carry the rock for us Joe and score touchdowns.

All is forgiven.

“Joe has apologized for his actions and the university hopes that it is an indication that he has learned from his mistakes.”

Although, it took a while for the apology. Like, last month.

The university “hopes”?

Isn’t that the equivalent of a Hail Mary at the end of a half or game?

“… that he has learned from his mistakes.”

OK, let’s go back to English 101 and discern a mistake from a decision.

Mistakes:

¯ Missing a portion of an algebraic equation

¯ Throwing a pick-6

¯ Sleeping through an alarm

¯ 2+2=5

¯ Missing a turn and getting lost

¯ A false start in track or swimming

¯ Writing down the wrong phone number

¯ Leave a candle burning

Decisions:

¯ Drinking and driving

¯ Throwing a punch

¯ Skipping class

¯ Yelling at a coach/referee

¯ Playing hookey from work

¯ Taking drugs

¯ Cussing

¯ Attitude

“Mr. Mixon asked us to once again say he is sorry for the way he acted that night,” a statement through his attorneys said. “He has publicly apologized to Ms. Molitor, her friends, his family, teammates, and the university. He hopes that his voluntary release of these recordings will help put this matter to rest.”

“… voluntary release …”

Nope. The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters sued to obtain the video and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered the release last week.

Not a lot of voluntary there.

This gets back to talent vs. baggage.

It also begs a simple question, if Mixon had punched Stoops’ daughter, would he still be on the team?

And, of course, because social media is the conscience of our world, read some of the statements (all from men from what I have seen) that defend Mixon.

Deplorable.

And, you wonder why we don’t value life in this world.

We have too many Brock Turners, Joe Mixons, Greg Hardys, Tyreek Hills and Ethan Couchs — along with the Princeton, Harvard and Columbia men’s swimming teams — and too many people ready and willing to excuse their behavior.

Molitor, meanwhile, graduated from OU Saturday with a 3.3 GPA and is looking to head to grad school.

“Sitting here, dealing with an extremely traumatic injury, having my name dragged through the mud,” Molitor said in a July 16 story by Berry Trammel of The Oklahoman. “The physical part was manageable for me. All the rest seemed unbearable. Almost immediately, I was made to feel like it was my fault. When you’re at such a vulnerable point, you tend to believe it.

“But I’m not the kind of person that lets people determine my life. I came here for a reason. I had a goal. I’m not a quitter.

“Coming back was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never been more proud of anything in my whole life than accomplishing this.”

Of course, she still has to deal with idiots.

From the story:

A patron awhile back leaned over the bar, got near Molitor’s face and asked, “How’s Joe doing?”

“What compels people to do that? Doesn’t faze me anymore.”

Again, this goes back to the point that men of any age (and not all men) forget they have women in their lives — mom, grandmother, sister, niece or aunt.

What goes through the mind of an alleged male when he asks Molitor, “How’s Joe doing?”

Bottom line is that Stoops, Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and OU President David Boren (a former U.S. sentor) all saw the tape back in the day and allowed Mixon to be in uniform in 2015 and 2016 — that’s saying a lot without saying a thing.

Mixon accounted for 1,936 yard and 15 touchdowns on 281 carries and 60 catches for 805 yards and nine TDs receiving in those two seasons.

Just saying.

He will now prepare for the NFL draft.

(Mathison, a Weirton resident, is the sports editor for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com and followed on Twitter @HSDTsports)