Redskins players contradict team statement, did not know about Foster

The Redskins acquisition of Reuben Foster raised eyebrows yesterday. Now, the team’s statement, in response to the acquisition, is doing the same.

The Washington Redskins were the only team to submit a waiver claim for former 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster, after the Alabama product was let go as a result of a domestic violence incident in Tampa Bay.

The Redskins’ decision to acquire Foster was met with immediate backlash of a colossal magnitude. It was believed that their acquisition of Foster made a statement, that winning was more important that morality and accountability.

But in a lengthy statement released in conjunction with the news of Foster’s signing, the team stated that they spoke with Foster’s former team mates currently on the roster, and received feedback in support of signing Foster. The statement describes multiple ‘candid conversations’, and implies that the input of the Crimson Tide alumni played a crucial part in the decision made.

Fast forward to today, and news has broke that the players did not, in fact, hear from the front office about potentially bringing in Foster.

The revelation that the players did not speak with the front office, as the statement alleges, makes the referenced statement not just a factual inaccuracy, but an outright lie. It does not come as surprise that Bruce Allen is rumored to have been the mastermind behind this move. There is the trademark lack of care for public reaction and image that is often associated with Allen’s operations.

Redskins players Daron Payne, Ryan Anderson, and Preston Smith reportedly sat down to dinner with Foster in D.C. last night, and if the front office did not check with the Alabama alumni before passing this move, the subject of conversation at that dinner table, as well as the repercussions, suddenly possess great intrigue.

Amidst all the confusion, one truth seems to stand out. Bruce Allen made the move to acquire a reckless player. And in a painfully fitting way, he did so with reckless abandon as well.