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<p>Linebacker Reuben Foster was released by the 49ers after he was arrested for domestic violence charges on Nov. 24. Two days later, the Washington Redskins claimed him off waivers.</p>

Linebacker Reuben Foster was released by the 49ers after he was arrested for domestic violence charges on Nov. 24. Two days later, the Washington Redskins claimed him off waivers.

We’ve seen this before.

When Ray Rice was captured on video knocking his then-girlfriend unconscious with one blow to her face, the NFL turned a blind eye.

The image of her body lying limp in that elevator wasn’t enough until the public saw it.

And the league continues to show through its egregiously callous handling of domestic violence cases that it truly does not know what to do about men beating the life out of women. And frankly, it doesn’t care to learn how to properly address the issue.

That’s why the recent news about former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster should infuriate every decent human being out there, but it should surprise no one.

For those of you who haven’t heard, Foster was released by the 49ers on Sunday after being arrested. Again. This time on charges of domestic violence. And on Wednesday, the Washington Redskins claimed Foster off waivers.

Now let’s be clear, part of the beauty of living in this country is the ability for (almost) everyone who has made mistakes in the past to be given the opportunity for a second chance. But let’s take a quick look at the timeline of Foster’s off the field issues in the past two years:

Foster was sent home from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis after reportedly getting into an altercation with a hospital worker during his medical examination on March 3, 2017. He also failed his drug test. On April 27, the 49ers traded up to take him 31st overall in the draft. Second chance No. 1.

On Jan. 13, 2018, Foster was arrested on charges of second-degree marijuana possession and later released on a $2,500 bond.

Foster was arrested again on Feb. 11 and charged with several counts of domestic violence for allegedly inflicting bodily harm on his then-girlfriend. Charges were also for possession of a deadly weapon, according to reports.

In April, his ex-girlfriend’s attorney told police that she had lied about being abused by Foster and that she had sustained the injuries from a fight with another woman. Those charges were dismissed in May.

On July 3, the NFL announced that it would suspend Foster for the first two games of the 2018 season for violating its substance abuse and conduct policy. He started for the 49ers on Sept. 23 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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And most recently came the Nov. 24 arrest on domestic violence charges toward the same woman, which caused his release from the 49ers organization, two days after which he was signed by the Redskins.

He had plenty of time for second chances without real punishment. Time is up.

And it’s not even the NFL’s handling of the situation that’s so baffling.

It’s the Redskins'. It’s owner Dan Snyder's.

A man with a wife and three children whose decision to claim Foster basically said  “Yeah, Foster could maybe, possibly, be a serial domestic abuser and is clearly problematic. Buuut the Cowboys are gaining on us, and he can help us win the NFC East.”

I know “innocent until proven guilty” is a legal guise, but what about image?

Wasn’t image the argument when teams didn’t want to sign that other player from the 49ers who committed no crimes but stood up for all minorities? No?

Per a USAToday article, Redskins coach Jay Gruden told reporters that Foster is “a young player. He’s made a mistake or two. At the end of the day, we decided to take a chance and deal with it.”

Interesting. It seems like these NFL teams only care about second chances when it benefits them.

 

Alanis Thames is a sports writer. Follow her on Twitter @alanisthames or contact her at athames@alligator.org.

Linebacker Reuben Foster was released by the 49ers after he was arrested for domestic violence charges on Nov. 24. Two days later, the Washington Redskins claimed him off waivers.

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