Former Alabama football star Reuben Foster is trying to make his mark in USFL with Maulers

CANTON — Reuben Foster may be down, but he refuses to be counted out.

As Foster looks to find his way back into the NFL — derailed primarily by off-the-field issues, including domestic violence charges — he is looking to make it work in the USFL. He joined the Pittsburgh Maulers, who are based in Canton this season, in early January.

The first thing on his agenda is reminding people of what Foster once was as a football player.

“I love to show people who I am, and just to get back on this field, it’s a blessing," Foster told The Canton Repository. "Just doing the things that I love to do.”

At one point, Foster was the No. 1-rated linebacker in the country coming out of Alabama. He was an All-American and Dick Butkus Award winner. He helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship before the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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Since then, it has been a struggle for the former Alabama star because off-the-field issues and injuries.

The NFL suspended Foster for the first two games of the 2018 season for violating its policies on personal conduct and substance abuse. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor weapons charge. A misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against him was dropped.

The 49ers waived Foster in November 2018 soon after a domestic violence charge. Washington soon claimed Foster in 2018, but he didn’t play a single down there. He tore his ACL and PCL during the first offseason workout in May 2019, placing him on the PUP list. He's worked out for several NFL teams since, including the Browns in September 2021, but hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since his release from the 49ers.

Foster, whose NFL career has been limited to just 16 regular-season games over the 2017-18 seasons, understands there are pros and cons teams weigh as they view him.

“The pro is my hard work and dedication to the game and my love for the game,” Foster said. “The con is getting rid of the extra baggage that is no good and is holding me down. ... I got to know who I am and what type of player I am and not selling myself short.”

The Maulers contacted Foster a year ago, but at the time Foster was still not at his full strength as he was recovering from a surgery. The two parties remained in contact. Foster took advantage of the opportunity to join the Maulers this year.

“It was a great New Year’s present to get another opportunity to come out here and play the sport that I love and get back to the league and make this the new, new league because at the end of the day, if everything is going right, it’s very productive and very structured,” Foster said about playing for the Maulers.

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Maulers head coach Ray Horton said he expects the linebacker to bring tenacity and leadership to the field.

“I like Reuben’s energy,” Horton said. “He is one of the obvious leaders. He has played in the NFL — high pick out of Alabama — and has been a captain in the NFL. He brings to our defense a lot of swagger, a little identity, toughness, downhill runner. We love Reuben here.”

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Foster has short-term and long-term goals for his football career. The obvious goal is to return to the NFL but, at the same time, take the USFL to new heights as it enters its second season.

“People are going to be surprised at what our record is going to turn out,” Foster said. “I won’t say any number, but you’re going to be surprised because the Maulers have changed just as well as their uniforms.”

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Reuben Foster back on football field in USFL with Pittsburgh Maulers