Embattled San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster has been suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. Things could have been worse for the 24-year old as he was facing domestic violence charges before his now-ex girlfriend admitted in May that she lied to police.

Foster was arrested on domestic assault, weapons, and drug charges in February, but had the domestic violence charges against him dropped when his former girlfriend Elissa Ennis recanted her accusations in a Santa Clara courtroom. 

His weapon charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor because the firearm had been purchased legally in Alabama before he brought it to California, which already had a ban on the gun in place.

According to the 49ers’ official website, the league’s punishments stem from the misdemeanor weapons charge – to which Foster pleaded no contest in June – and a misdemeanor drug offense, after Foster was arrested in January on a misdemeanor marijuana charge that was later dropped.

Foster will miss the 49ers' opener at the Minnesota Vikings on September 9 and the home opener against the Detroit Lions on September 16. He will be eligible to rejoin the team on September 17, six days before a Week 3 trip to play the Kansas City Chiefs

Foster will miss the 49ers’ opener at the Minnesota Vikings on September 9 and the home opener against the Detroit Lions on September 16. He will be eligible to rejoin the team on September 17, six days before a Week 3 trip to play the Kansas City Chiefs

That would indicate Foster was not punished further for the pair of felony domestic violence charges he faced, stemming from the February incident. That’s significant, because players can still be found guilty of violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy even if they’re found innocent or charges against them are dropped.

Foster released a statement on Tuesday indicating he won’t appeal the suspension:

‘I accept the League’s decision and am sorry that my mistakes have hurt my team. I have a responsibility to the 49ers, our fans and our community, and I am committed to learning from this situation and making better choices in the future. The support I have received over the last five months has been humbling, and I do not take it for granted.’

Testifying against the advice of her attorney, Elissa Ennis said ex-boyfriend Reuben Foster never put his hands on her and that she said he did in an attempt to sue him for money after he broke up with her

Testifying against the advice of her attorney, Elissa Ennis said ex-boyfriend Reuben Foster never put his hands on her and that she said he did in an attempt to sue him for money after he broke up with her

Testifying against the advice of her attorney, Elissa Ennis said ex-boyfriend Reuben Foster never put his hands on her and that she said he did in an attempt to sue him for money after he broke up with her

The 49ers also accepted the league’s punishment.  

‘Our organization understands and supports the League’s decision,’ general manager John Lynch said in a statement. ‘Although we are disappointed that Reuben will not be with our team for the first two games of the season, we will continue to work with him on making better decisions and eliminating unnecessary distractions. We are encouraged to see Reuben take responsibility for his mistakes, and hopeful that he has learned from them as well.’

Foster will miss the 49ers’ opener at the Minnesota Vikings on September 9 and the home opener against the Detroit Lions on September 16. He will be eligible to rejoin the team on September 17, six days before a Week 3 trip to play the Kansas City Chiefs.

He will forfeit $103,024 in salary for the two missed games, on top of the undisclosed fine. 

In addition to 232 hours of community service and two years probation, Foster is barred from owning firearms or ammunition. He was also forced to surrender the weapon that brought the charge – a Sig Sauer 516.   

Foster was forced to surrender the weapon that brought the charge - a Sig Sauer 516

Foster was forced to surrender the weapon that brought the charge - a Sig Sauer 516

Foster was forced to surrender the weapon that brought the charge – a Sig Sauer 516

Ennis testified at the Santa Clara Hall of Justice in May that she initially lied to police about Foster hitting her on February 11 and did so in an attempt to ruin Foster’s career and ‘end him.’

She originally told police Foster hit her in the head eight to 10 times, causing facial bruises and a ruptured eardrum. Ennis had since recanted that statement, and in her testimony she said she ‘lied a lot’ to authorities about the incident.

Ennis, testifying against the advice of attorney Stephanie Rickard, said Foster never put his hands on her and that she said he did in an attempt to sue him for money after he broke up with her the morning of February 11. She also admitted to stealing more than $8,000 and two Rolex watches from Foster after their breakup.

‘I was pissed and I wanted to end him,’ Ennis said in her testimony.

Ennis also testified that she falsely accused a former boyfriend of domestic violence in 2011 after he attempted to break up with her.

A first-round pick in 2017, Foster won a national championship and the Butkus Award as the country’s top linebacker while playing at the University of Alabama. As a rookie last season, he finished with 72 total tackles and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team. 

Foster had the domestic violence charges against him dropped in May after his former girlfriend Elissa Ennis recanted her accusations. He was also charged with owning an illegal firearm, but that was later reduced to a misdemeanor because the gun had been purchased legally in Alabama before he brought it to California, which already had a ban on the weapon

Foster had the domestic violence charges against him dropped in May after his former girlfriend Elissa Ennis recanted her accusations. He was also charged with owning an illegal firearm, but that was later reduced to a misdemeanor because the gun had been purchased legally in Alabama before he brought it to California, which already had a ban on the weapon

Foster had the domestic violence charges against him dropped in May after his former girlfriend Elissa Ennis recanted her accusations. He was also charged with owning an illegal firearm, but that was later reduced to a misdemeanor because the gun had been purchased legally in Alabama before he brought it to California, which already had a ban on the weapon



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