ASHBURN — Coach Jay Gruden stood up for linebacker Mason Foster on Wednesday after the linebacker had a private message leaked in which he disparaged the team and its fan base.
In the message, Foster told the fan “[expletive] this team and this fan base” and included laughing emojis. He later added he won’t be a scapegoat to “to make fans feel better about all these big money [people] who ain’t playin or getting dogged out.”
Gruden said he discussed the issue with Foster, but didn’t care about the contents of the message.
“I know what Mason is, I know what he means to this football team, what he’s meant to this football team, and anything he said in a personal message was personal and I really don’t take anything from it,” Gruden said. “I do, however, disagree with that guy posting a private message out on social media. He broke a code there that I don’t agree with. As far as Mason, I have nothing but respect for him as a person and a player.”
Foster did not speak to reporters on Wednesday.
Foster first joined the Redskins in 2015. He’s tied for sixth in the league in tackles with 108 this season.
“I know Mason and how hard he’s worked and how hard he plays,” Gruden said. “I know he wouldn’t say anything publicly to do that. That was a private deal. He could’ve been messing around. I don’t know the intent of that message, I don’t really care.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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