Early Black Friday Sale on 49ers Gear! Use Code CATCH30 →
placeholder image

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports


John Lynch on Foster: ‘Reuben’s character is what drew me to him’

May 8, 2017 at 4:54 PM

Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

Reuben Foster saw his draft stock drop significantly following the NFL Scouting Combine and then again in the weeks leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft. Most of that was due to the surgery that he underwent following Alabama's 2016 season to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. There were a lot of teams concerned that the injury might be more severe and force the linebacker to miss a significant amount of time during the upcoming 2017 season.

Of course, Foster has repeatedly assured the media that his recovery is going as planned and that he will be a full-go by training camp after missing or being limited in OTAs. The San Francisco 49ers have repeatedly assured the media that the team's medical staff is comfortable with the recovery from surgery. The 49ers selected Foster with the 31st overall selection after trading back into the first round to leap the New Orleans Saints, who were poised to select the dynamic player at the number 32 spot.

Another possible reason for Foster's drop may have been character concerns. After all, he was dismissed from the NFL Scouting Combine after engaging in a heated argument with a hospital worker.

More recently, Foster revealed that his urine sample obtained in Indianapolis during the combine was reported as diluted, which many NFL teams treat as a failed drug test. When asked specifically about the sample, Foster explained that he was sick the week prior to the combine and that he drank an excessive amount of water. He believed the illness was associated with food poisoning.

49ers general manager John Lynch joined the Talk of Fame Network and discussed whether or not the team was concerned with any potential character issues with Foster.

"When I was first asked that in the press conference in San Fran," Lynch said on the latest Talk of Fame Network broadcast. "I said, 'Well, I would tell you that Reuben's character is what drew me to him.' He's a guy who can ignite a room with his excitement, with his passion.

"The kid hasn't been in trouble much. He's been around some bad things that have happened. He did have the situation at the combine. We talked with Reuben about that, being sent home, and he was apologetic for that — both to the gentlemen at the combine, publicly, and to us.

"There was a diluted test at the combine, as well, something (that) after a conversation we got comfortable with. We understand, like all our players, we're going to have to put a support system … a structure … around Reuben, but we feel like his character is really one of his strong traits.

"He hasn't been in trouble at Alabama. He's a tremendous player sideline to sideline, and he will hit anything that moves … really, my kind of guy and, I think, a real special player."

You can listen to the entire interview on the Talk of Fame Network.

(Thanks to Clark Judge for sending us the interview)

Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments

More San Francisco 49ers News

placeholder image

John Lynch: Ricky Pearsall emerging as player the 49ers envisioned on draft day

By David Bonilla
Nov 15

Ricky Pearsall's NFL journey has been anything but ordinary. The rookie wide receiver, drafted in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers, endured a life-altering setback before even taking the field. On August 31, Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt,...


placeholder image

Are the 49ers ready to give up on Jake Moody? Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch speak about their young kicker

By Marc Adams
Nov 16

What a week for Jake Moody. The San Francisco 49ers kicker returned from injury after missing a month, only to miss his first three kicks during his team's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. After his third miss, Moody found himself part of a sideline scrum in...


placeholder image

John Lynch shares latest news on 49ers QB Brock Purdy, status is 'tenuous'

By David Bonilla
2 hrs

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch appeared on Bay Area radio station KNBR on Friday morning to share the latest on quarterback Brock Purdy's injury. Purdy sustained a shoulder injury during Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, significantly limiting his...


placeholder image

49ers-Packers injury news: John Lynch provides Trent Williams and Nick Bosa updates

By David Bonilla
1 hr

While the status of quarterback Brock Purdy has dominated headlines, injuries to tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa remain crucial storylines as the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. On Friday...


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone