Reuben Foster failed drug test at the Combine (diluted sample)

[Quesadilla Joe]

#Bama LB Reuben Foster tells me he had a diluted urine sample during his Combine Drug test. My story: https://t.co/XjwPMMsqju

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2017

Here is the story from the tweet...

Spoiler!

From the moment the pre-draft process started, it was nothing like Reuben Foster imagined.

A much-talked about moment at the Scouting Combine involving a hospital worker, rumors about the progress of his surgically repaired shoulder that won't die, questions about his childhood friends -- it has all gotten to the highly touted Alabama linebacker.

"Hectic, stressful, very stressful," Foster said over the phone to NFL.com, after concluding roughly 20 team visits. "It's like the devil is coming after me."

And now comes the latest.

Last month, Foster was notified that his urine sample obtained in Indianapolis during the Combine was reported as dilute. Based on the provisions of the NFL's policy and program for substances of abuse, "this will be treated like a positive test."

In discussing his trying few months, Foster disclosed the test results to NFL.com because, he says, "This is something that's going to get out. I don't make excuses. I'm a real dude. I try to be a good person. ... I just hope the coaches understand and that's all I can hope and pray for." Foster has already been on the phone talking with teams telling them himself.

As for why the test came back dilute, Foster explained in detail. He said he was sick before the Combine. He was throwing up, had diarrhea, couldn't keep anything down and was cramping. One adviser offered to have a doctor put him on IVs to hydrate, but he didn't want that. He saw a doctor, got some medication and started hydrating himself.

Foster believes it was food poisoning.

"I couldn't eat much, but I had to drink water and Gatorade," said Foster, who began the process as the consensus top linebacker based on his game tape and measurables. "Then a few coaches said something about me being too light. And I'm a coach-pleaser. I don't care what everybody thinks, but I care what coaches think. So I drank and ate as much as I could without throwing up. Then I went in there, drinking and drinking water, trying to flush out my system from whatever was making me sick and trying to keep my weight up and took the test."

The result was the diluted test.

And more stress, along with questions about his draft stock. Foster knows this will likely negatively affect where he's selected.

"If it's first round, second round, whoever takes me will get a good football player and an All-Pro," Foster said. "I hope I go on Thursday, but I can't control that."

Foster, who weighed 229 pounds at 6-foot, knows he'll be in the NFL's drug program. Periodic and unannounced tests will start when he signs an NFL contract.

"Put me in the program," he said. "Test me."

Of course, this was far from the only thing he dealt with during the process. The star inside linebacker on Alabama's vaunted defense, Foster had surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff after the season. At Combine rechecks, doctors found it was on schedule, though there have been media reports that he may need a second surgery (which has frustrated Foster).

"I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do, but no matter what I do, it doesn't come out right," he said.

In Indy, Foster got into a heated altercation with a hospital worker and was sent home prior to completing his medical exam. He later sent a letter to teams apologizing for his dismissal. Foster had been waiting an extended period of time.

"I apologized for that, I've learned from it," Foster said. "That's in the past and it won't happen again."

Some teams also had questions about the company Foster keeps, though as he says, "I came from a rough environment, I'm my own man. Growing up, those were the people from my neighborhood. At college, my teammates became my family."

Foster graduated from Alabama and called the plays for their complex defense. Meanwhile, other media reports questioned his smarts.

Foster said this process has been mentally draining and taxing. But he said he's grateful for it and is looking forward to Thursday.

On the flip side, no one has questions about Foster as a football player.

"Big-time player," one GM said. "Beast."

That's the consensus. But only time will tell how teams will react to the entirety of it.

[BlackHelicopters]

Surprises no one. Could cost him money. Why can't these idiots abstain when a multi million career possibly is waiting for them?

[BossChief]

If he makes it to the mid 20s, I'd have no problem with them going up to get him if Mahomes and Watson are off the board.

[Quesadilla Joe]

I think I remember Shane Ray being in the drug program coming out, he only had to stay clean until training camp or something and then they let him out.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If he makes it to the mid 20s, I'd have no problem with them going up to get him if Mahomes and Watson are off the board.

No question.

If the Cardinals take Mahomes, I'd absolutely see what I could do to make a move up into the late teens for Foster. It would close the book on the QB hunt but if it's at the cost of Webb rather than Mahomes, I'd risk it.

As everyone else has soured on him, I've actually become more and more impressed by him. Earlier in the draft season I preferred Cunningham (no real good reason why; probably the stigman of 'bama LBs), but I've really come around on him.

He's gonna be an all-pro.

[prhom]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

No question.

If the Cardinals take Mahomes, I'd absolutely see what I could do to make a move up into the late teens for Foster. It would close the book on the QB hunt but if it's at the cost of Webb rather than Mahomes, I'd risk it.

As everyone else has soured on him, I've actually become more and more impressed by him. Earlier in the draft season I preferred Cunningham (no real good reason why; probably the stigman of 'bama LBs), but I've really come around on him.

He's gonna be an all-pro.

Have people on CP soured on him, or in the NFL media? Just curious, because he looks like a real gamer out there and an intense leader. Would Foster play the same position as DJ?

[Titty Meat]

Yes please this guy is an even better prospect than DJ

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballBillay

Yes please this guy is an even better prospect than DJ

Different, anyway.

Maybe not better - DJ as a prospect was as athletic as any LBer you'll ever see. And no, he wasn't as physical as Foster but he was cagey as ****. He was a very savvy football player that was an effective tackler, if not necessarily a punishing one.

I won't say he's a better prospect than DJ was (who was considered a top 10 guy in his own right before a bit of a draft day slide), but he's on par with him and that's pretty damn good.

[SAGA45]

As I recall, DJ at one point was projected as a top-5 pick...to the Vikings I believe....then as the draft drew close, stuff started to surface about him being a poor tackler, too finesse and unwilling to take on blockers. Next thing you knew, his stock began to fall.

Also, there was a big debate across several Chiefs forums on who was the best fit for KC....DJ or Shawne Merriman. In fact, that debate was about as intense as some of the 2017 QB class arguments.

[Direckshun]

Shawn Merriman.

There's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

[Chief Northman]

Carl made the right choice. DJ is a helluva player. Once the drugs wore off, Merriman fizzled and was injured forever.

[SAGA45]

Originally Posted by Chief Northman

Carl made the right choice. DJ is a helluva player. Once the drugs wore off, Merriman fizzled and was injured forever.

The choice was made easier by the Chargers when they took Merriman at #12. I remember being super relieved because I was worried CP would take Merriman over DJ at #15.

[KChiefs1]

Hope he falls to 27th.


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[raybec 4]

I'm a little worried about his woe is me attitude, when he says shit like I'm doing all the right things but nothing is going my way, that sounds like my 11 year old nephew.

[O.city]

As DJLN brought up in the lounge thread, i think every really good ILB has to have a screw or two loose. If he's there at 27 ( I still don't think he will be) I'd take him.