Turning something negative into a positive: For every minor setback there's a major comeback, featuring "Reuben Foster."
How we got here
Prize rookie LB Reuben Foster has been in the news recently for marijuana possession (via NFL.com) and potentially stands to lose millions based on the language of his contract (per CBS Sports' Joel Corry), and a possible suspension (via NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, who told KNBR). However, Foster can still earn the $2,501,124 on a non-guaranteed basis.
Foster's laundry list of incidents coming out of college has been well documented as of late. Adding insult to injury, former 49ers' LB Ken Norton Jr. was hired as the assistant head coach-defense/inside linebackers, and San Francisco hoped to have him play a mentoring role in Foster's development on and off the field (per the Mercury News). However, Norton Jr. ended up leaving a week later to take the defensive coordinator position of the division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. Now, hold that thought...
Who is Reuben Foster?
Reuben Foster is a young male athlete that plays professional football and has the world at his fingertips. He won a National Championship back in 2016 at Alabama University. Foster, in 2017 and at the young age of 23, was drafted by the historic San Francisco 49ers franchise. And "Bam" he instantly became a young millionaire. He's had many accolades as a collegiate player and as an NFL player named to the NFL All-Rookie team by Professional Football Writers of America. Life is great, "and, at times, you can feel yourself." Foster has made some young mistakes while displaying some questionable to poor decision-making skills. But what young man with a lot of money and fame hasn't?
For every set back there's a major comeback, featuring "Reuben Foster"
Foster must take ownership of his actions small, medium or large, and learn and grow from this. He has a chance to turn what is a negative light (in some eyes) on himself, the franchise, and the man that drafted him, General Manager John Lynch, into a positive one. Foster needs to take this incident in stride and on the chin as a young man and "man up" as a pro's pro. With a strong infrastructure in place by quality coach DeMeco Ryans as a mentor, head coach Kyle Shanahan, Lynch, and C.E.O Jed York; Foster has a great opportunity with the all-around support system in place to have a major comeback year on and off the field (performance/character-wise) in 2018.
Sequoia Sims: Founder of Niners Live, Content Creator and Senior Author. The home of the faithful fan and analyst from an objective/analytical lens, and different perspective, of course.