It didn’t take long for fans and pundits that follow the Washington Redskins to voice their surprise, anger and sometimes humor when it was reported that the ballclub had claimed former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster, who was recently arrested, off the waiver wire.
The noise shouldn’t be unanticipated since the Alabama alum was recently detained down in Florida on suspicion of domestic battery. From Twitter and Face Book to local sports radio and the Sirius/XM NFL channel; fans and NFL analysts articulated their displeasure and exasperation at the move. With Washington fighting to retain first place in the NFC East and going into the last quarter of the season, the last thing the team needs right now is drama in the locker room.
According to a criminal affidavit, Saturday night Foster pushed an ex-girlfriend in the chest and “slapped her with an open hand” at a hotel where San Francisco was staying before the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To make matters worse, the arrest followed a very recent domestic felony violence charge (it happened during the past offseason). It should be noted, however, that the victim of that incident later recanted the allegations against the LB.
As an example of the reaction to the Redskins roster move, Anne Doepner, Director of Football Administration for the Minnesota Vikings tweeted within a few minutes of the initial report:
Just donated to my local domestic violence shelter:https://t.co/Hj89C4HJh4 pic.twitter.com/ydSXaIc66k
— Anne Doepner (@AnneDoepner) November 27, 2018
This tweet is but one of many that opined the Redskins roster move.
Washington’s brass keeps close track of public opinion. It matters to them. It is no surprise then that they wasted no time in addressing the situation. This is the statement released by Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, Doug Williams:
“Today we have claimed the rights to LB Reuben Foster. The Redskins fully understand the severity of the recent allegations made against Reuben. If true, you can be sure these allegations are nothing our organization would ever condone. Let me be clear, Reuben will have to go through numerous steps including the full legal process, an investigation and potential discipline from the NFL, as well as meetings with counselors associated with the team before he will ever have the opportunity to wear the Burgundy and Gold as a player. That being said, we decided to investigate the situation with Reuben further by claiming his rights after candid conversations with a number of his ex-Alabama teammates and current Redskins players who were overwhelmingly supportive of us taking this chance. Nothing is promised to Reuben, but we are hopeful being around so many of his former teammates and friends will eventually provide him with the best possible environment to succeed both personally and professionally.”
Williams is, no doubt, counting on guys like defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, linebackers Ryan Anderson and Shaun Dion Hamilton; and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix — all former Alabama players — to provide the environment of which he wrote… especially since some of them were apparently instrumental in the decision to bring their former teammate on board.
Whether or not Allen & Co. can provide the environment Foster needs remains to be seen, But it’s a bonus that his acquisition was low risk to the Burgundy and Gold.