Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive lineman and current radio reporter Craig Wolfley penned an article about how Ramon Foster was one of his all-time favorite Pittsburgh Steelers. After sharing how the two players had a connection by both wearing the same number 73 jersey for the black and gold, Wolfley went on to explain several reasons as to why he became such a large fan of Foster.
I became a fan because he was a tough guy, and an undrafted free agent. When you’re not drafted, it says something about how others perceive you. But where you go with that says everything about how you think of yourself. Ramon Foster is a winner. He believed in his talent and refused to listen to those who thought otherwise. He proved himself with desire and determination. He was an overcomer.
The Steelers signed Ramon Foster after the 2009 draft as an undrafted free agent. Foster went on to prove himself worthy in training camp, ultimately beating out third-round draft pick Kraig Urbik for a spot on the 53-main roster. Urbik went on to a seven-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, so Foster’s feat was not without great competition.
But earning a spot on the Steelers’ roster did not go to Foster’s head. As Wolfley goes on to explain, Foster remained humble while becoming one of the biggest locker room presence for the Steelers.
I love the fact that Ramon was humble, never forgetting where he came from. He would laugh at you, with you, or at himself as the situation dictated. He was a great teammate, one of the most respected men in the locker room.
Another reason Wolfley had such high praise for Foster was his style of play. With the ever-changing NFL landscape, Foster was one of the few lineman who reminded Wolfley of his playing days. While athleticism is a key feature across the offensive line these days, being an old-fashioned “mauler” is likely to catch the eye of players from past eras.
Foster was a throwback, a man who played like the proverbial “Junkyard Dog,” which means this: He played ferociously and courageously.
When it comes to the guys in the trenches, getting screen time during the the typical TV broadcast is not something which happens regularly. While a false start or a holding penalty generally gets mentioned with a zoomed in shot, doing their job successfully play in and play out generally goes unreported. But, occasionally, an offensive lineman gets to make a devastating block which draws the eye of the masses. Wolfley went on to give one such example, his most favorite play from Foster over his 11-year career.
Legendary hits by an offensive lineman are few and far between. To stand out and become memorable among the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of blocks I’ve observed while playing, broadcasting or watching football over my lifetime presents a high standard.
Yet, I will tell you definitively, Ramon has a hit in my Top 5 mulches of all-time. And I do mean all of time. Foster delivered one of the most legendary hits I’ve ever seen, on former Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley. If you wanted to paint a picture to bring Mike Tomlin’s “Two trains, one track” quote to life, this would be it. Foster pulled around center and right guard, turning up into the hole, leading the ball carrier. In an absolutely stunning hit, he ran over Mosley like the semi-truck in Terminator 2 when it ran over the T1000 cyborg.
It was a righteous kill shot.
As with many pieces written about a player who is retiring, Wolfley finished his thoughts with how much both he and the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to miss Ramon Foster both as a person and a player.
Foster was both thoughtful and articulate in his conversation, be it with the press or in person. I have nothing but the greatest of respect for him, both off the field and between the white lines. He has always been a first-class man of character and integrity, a blessing to his teammates, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh. I consider it a privilege to know him and call him friend.
Unfortunately, time waits for no man and the writing on the wall was there for Foster at the conclusion of the 2019 season. While many fans are grateful for his time in Pittsburgh, it is also a nice to not see Foster wearing any other NFL colors other than the black and gold. After 11 years, 171 games, 156 starts, and one Super Bowl appearance, Foster’s legacy as a player, person, and teammate in Pittsburgh will not be easily forgotten.
The link to Wolfley’s full article on his thoughts about Foster and his retirement can be seen below.
High praise from one former Pittsburgh Steelers LG to another
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) March 19, 2020
Craig Wolfley: Why Ramon Foster was one of my all-time favorites https://t.co/y7haNZqQjo via @247sports