Days after the team that made him a first-round draft pick less than 18 months ago cut him loose after his second 2018 arrest on domestic violence-related charges, Reuben Foster was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins.
The San Francisco 49ers released the linebacker after Tampa police arrested Foster for allegedly slapping his on-again-off-again girlfriend before the team was going to play the Buccaneers.
After Foster, who was suspended for the first two games of the season, hit waivers, Washington was the only team to put a claim in for the linebacker and will pay him $257,000 for the remainder of the season.
It’s a season he likely won’t play in as the NFL subsequently placed Foster on the Commissioner Exempt list as the league conducts an investigation and lets the legal process play out.
Nevertheless, Washington’s decision was almost universally ripped.
I don't think Reuben Foster will ever play a down for the Washington Redskins but that organization just told you today what they think about domestic violence.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 27, 2018
Reaction to the #Redskins claiming Reuben Foster from the #Vikings Director of Football Administration https://t.co/kc5QYPcBhb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2018
Colin Kaepernick took a stand for social justice. Reuben Foster has repeatedly been accused of beating women. Only one of these guys is on an #NFL roster. It's getting increasingly hard to be a female fan of football
— Leah Cohen (@lilLeahCohen) November 28, 2018
Reuben Foster has been arrested three times in 2018 and was suspended for two games to begin the NFL season.
Less than 72 hours after being arrested on domestic violence charges and waived, a team claimed him on waivers, possibly to have him play right away.
Give me a break.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 27, 2018
Imagine being a team exec who thinks it’s necessary to hurriedly claim Reuben Foster off waivers just 72 hours after he was arrested AGAIN for domestic violence.
But wear pink in October, Redskins. Really showing a ton of support for women…..
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) November 27, 2018
I just want to know who is in the room and how the conversation went when the #Redskins said lets claim Reuben Foster. Are there no Fathers of daughters, no brothers of sisters in this room?Do we really have to wait until photos/video are released to believe it happened?
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) November 28, 2018
Thought Foster has yet to play a down for the team, and likely won’t, Washington was compelled to release a statement after claiming him.
A statement from the Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams: pic.twitter.com/zdxA8hmWtb
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 27, 2018
If Foster doesn’t play this season, the Redskins will have the option of keeping him on the roster next season.
It is also possible they cut him after this massive PR hit but, considering Daniel Snyder is in charge, they likely won’t.
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