The National Football League continues to be embroiled in national criticism and lawsuits. These range from illegal activities that include players caught for drug possession, to poor health in players as a result of playing football, as well as other issues. NFL players have also sparked political debates. The largest occurrence of this in recent history is when Colin Kaepernick caught heat from some NFL fans for kneeling during the national anthem. Kaepernick protested against police brutality in cases including people of color, a topic that is increasingly grabbing media attention around the nation.
All of the information for this article comes from reports by NFL.com and ESPN.
One of the latest issues that contribute to the NFL's notoriety for its players' wild and sometimes violent behavior off the field involves rookie linebacker Reuben Foster, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers. He was charged last week for an incident that occurred in February and could face up to 11 years in prison.
The crimes: three felonies and a misdemeanor
Reuben Foster, linebacker for San Francisco’s 49ers, was charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor on Thursday, April 12, 2018, according to the NFL. These felonies include domestic abuse that included serious harm to his victim, preventing his victim from alerting the police, and a weapons charge for an assault weapon.
The misdemeanor charge that he faces is for possession of a large capacity gun magazine.
The incident occurred on Sunday, February 11, when he was arrested by the Los Gatos, California police after an anonymous tip that there was a domestic disturbance. He was able to post bail and released later that day. If convicted of all counts, he could face 11 years in jail.
The February arrest isn’t the first time he has been in handcuffs this year, on January 13 he was arrested for possession of marijuana in Alabama, a misdemeanor charge.
Reuben Foster
Reuben Foster is one of the NFL’s top players, in my opinion. In 2017 his statistics included 72 tackles and 13 assisted tackles. Born May 1994, Foster is only 23 years old but has already seen his share of violence in the household.
According to ESPN, when he was 18 months old, his father shot him and his mother as she was holding young Reuben. Though Reuben Foster’s father was arrested, he escaped from prison in December 1996 after being indicted earlier that year and tried to re-enter his son's life. After 16 years as a fugitive, Danny Foster was finally caught by police in Miami in 2013.
