The Washington Redskins received a fair amount of criticism last November when, in a surprise move, they signed linebacker Reuben Foster off waivers after he was released by the San Francisco 49ers. The backlash came because the 2017 first-round draft pick had been charged with a domestic battery misdeanor… an understandabley touchy subject. But the team released a dual statement today after the NFL came to a decision about Foster’s 2019 season.
It should be noted that prosecutors dropped the charges against the player in January 2019 and, while there’s no doubt that Washington needs talent at the linebacker position, there were some fans in the nation’s capital not terribly happy at the time.
The team addressed the move by releasing a statement from Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams in which he said that the Redskins: “…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.”
The statement also said that, “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.”
At the time the Redskins claimed Foster, he was on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List and was unable to partake in any practices, etc.
Today, the National Football League announced that the LB had been fined two game checks but would not be suspended. As well, he is able to participate in team activities after a final a review and an assessment of his faithfullness in following his obligations according to league policy.
Washington’s OTAs and minicamps are to begin next month so the timing by the NFL is good. Foster is apparently — and not surprisingly — relieved.
“I am grateful to the Washington Redskins and the NFL for giving me this second chance,” the player said in a statement. “I appreciate the support I have received from the league, my team, and my union to help me succeed. I want to thank Commissioner Goodell for the time that he has spent with me and for his understanding of me as a person. I accept the NFL’s decision and want to say that I am truly sorry for my past actions and the people who may have been hurt by them. Going forward, I will follow the plan outlined for me and work hard to earn back the trust of my teammates, the NFL, NFL fans, and the community. I know that my success is all up to me, and I am committed to not letting you down.”
The Redskins contribution to the duel statement came from team President Bruce Allen.
“Everyone in this league is held to a higher standard,” Allen said through a press release. “Reuben understands that his past actions have led a lot of people to doubt him, and he has committed to doing the work necessary to earn the trust of his teammates, our great fans, and the NFL.”
“The Redskins have put in place a comprehensive responsibility and accountability plan to help Reuben be successful on and off the field. Elements of this plan include individual counseling, a structured living arrangement, weekly meetings with the club player engagement director, weekly meetings with our team chaplain, and targeted community service engagements.”
“We have been very clear with Reuben that his past does not have to determine his future – but the responsibility is squarely on him to change. Reuben must fully adhere to the plan we have developed for him. Reuben knows that we simply will not tolerate any future conduct that is detrimental to the Washington Redskins organization or to the NFL.”