Mason Foster apologizes for remarks on social media

Redskins linebacker Mason Foster apologized Thursday for “inappropriate language and derogatory remarks” that were sent to fans from his since-deactivated Instagram account earlier this month.

Foster, a team captain, did not appear in Washington’s locker room when it was open to the media Wednesday or Thursday, instead issuing the apology via a team spokesman Thursday afternoon. He said the messages were sent by a cousin who had been using his account to promote a charity initiative.

Foster’s apology came a day after Redskins coach Jay Gruden was asked about a private Instagram conversation between Foster and a fan that was posted on social media. Images of the conversation showed a message from Foster’s account reading “F--- this team and this fan base” following Washington’s loss to the Eagles on Dec. 3.

“I want to clear up some issues that have recently come to light in regards to comments that were made on my Instagram page to my fans and followers,” Foster said in the statement. “Following the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, I gave my cousin permission to run my Instagram account to drive awareness for the My Cleats My Cause game the following week. It was brought to my attention this week that he was engaging fans on the platform in a negative light and was responding to messages directed at me with inappropriate language and derogatory remarks. Once I was made aware of this the account was immediately deactivated.”