The Redskins made a polarizing decision Tuesday by deciding to sign Reuben Foster following his release from the 49ers less than 72 hours after being hit with domestic violence charges.
The team released a statement saying Foster will not play until the legal situation is resolved. That decision was made easier when not long after, Roger Goodell and the NFL stepped in, placing the linebacker on the commissioners exempt list.
Redskins senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams scripted the following statement as part of the signing –
“Today we have claimed the rights to LB Reuben Foster. The Redskins fully understand the severity of the recent allegations made against Reuben. If true, you can be sure these allegations are nothing our organization would ever condone. Let me be clear, Reuben will have to go through numerous steps including the full legal process, an investigation and potential discipline from the NFL, as well as meetings with counselors associated with the team before he will ever have the opportunity to wear the Burgundy and Gold as a player. That being said, we decided to investigate the situation with Reuben further by claiming his rights after candid conversations with a number of his ex-Alabama teammates and current Redskins players who were overwhelmingly supportive of us taking this chance. Nothing is promised to Reuben, but we are hopeful being around so many of his former teammates and friends will eventually provide him with the best possible environment to succeed both personally and professionally.”
Despite the press release hitting on all things fans would like to hear, his comments in defense of Foster Thursday are nothing short of a joke, comparing domestic violence to “small potatoes.”
Williams on the larger moment: ““We’ve got people who are in high, high, high, high places that have done far worse, and if you look at it realistically, they’re still up there,” he said. “This is small potatoes [compared to] a lot of things out there.”
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) November 29, 2018
