Foster scores support from 49ers, teammates amid felony charges
Reuben Foster’s tenure with the 49ers remains tenuous but not over, at least not in the immediate hours after he was charged Thursday for felony domestic violence and weapon possession.
The team’s support even extended into a Santa Clara County courtroom, where new 49ers teammate Richard Sherman surprisingly shadowed Foster as he was escorted in with attorneys for a quick, no-plea arraignment.
“I’m just here to support a team- mate,” Sherman told this news organization as he left the courtroom trailing Foster, who did not comment.
Even though Foster’s arrest was Feb. 11, the 49ers’ brass took a wait-andsee approach regarding Foster until prosecutors announced their own intentions, and that lighting bolt came Thursday with an 8:34 a.m. press release from the District Attorney’s office. Alarming accusations were dis-
closed in which Foster allegedly punched his girlfriend “in the head eight to 10 times” and resulted in a ruptured ear drum.
And now, rather than terminate Foster’s employment, the 49ers remain in an exploratory phase, uncertain if the allegations amount to facts. Nearly 1 ½ hours after three felony charges were levied against Foster, the 49ers issued a statement that was not specifically attributed to a team official, and it read:
“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s disturbing charges regarding Reuben Foster. We will continue to follow this serious matter.
“Reuben is aware that his place in our organization is under great scrutiny and will depend on what is learned through the legal process.”
The 49ers are still eval- uating whether Foster will be welcomed to participate in the voluntary offseason program that begins Monday. He has been working out at the facility the past couple months, including this week.
Foster, a first- round draft pick last April 29, faces more than 11 years in prison if convicted on felony charges of domestic violence with an allegation that he inf licted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and possession of an assault weapon. He also drew a misdemeanor charge for having a large capacity weapon magazine.
Foster, wearing a dark suit, took his arraignment very seriously and didn’t flash the bright smile that 49ers fans adored last year. He remained straightfaced, and perhaps the only other emotion detected was a respect for the court and perhaps fear at the entirety of this all.
Sherman and his wife, Ashley, took a seat a few rows behind Foster during the arraignment. Safety Jaquiski Tartt, after tweeting “prayers” to Foster earlier in the day, showed up at the Hall of Justice as Foster was ushered away after the arraignment in a waiting car.
NFL law mandates a sixgame suspension for domestic-violence cases, as was unsuccessfully challenged last year regarding Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s status.
“We continue to monitor all developments in this matter which is under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told this news organization.
Foster’s status could ramp up expectations that the 49ers use their top draft pick ( No. 9 overall) on a linebacker come April 26. Veterans Malcolm Smith and Brock Coyle are the projected starters at inside linebacker without Foster.