PHILADELPHIA — Redskins team president Bruce Allen told ESPN’s Lisa Salters that Washington did its own investigation “of sorts” into Reuben Foster’s domestic violence arrest before claiming the troubled linebacker off waivers, the network reported Monday.
Before Monday’s game against the Eagles, Salters said on air that Allen told her they contacted “people” in Tampa, where Foster was arrested, and found a story that differed enough from the police report.
USA Today reported the Redskins did not contact Tampa police before adding Foster.
“When we spoke to Bruce Allen last night, he told us that the team knew it was going to get some criticism for this move but they did their own investigation of sorts,” Salters said. “They wanted to know what happened. He talked to people in Tampa and felt comfortable that they heard another side of the Reuben Foster story that is different and perhaps to them worth taking this risk.”
Salters also asked Allen how great does Foster have to be on the field to make the public backlash to the move worth it.
“He just looked at us and said, ’I don’t know,’” Salters said. “We’re going to let this whole thing play out and we’ll see. But he did add: Regardless of whether Foster ever wears a uniform, he says he believes that Washington can help support this man and his future.”
Foster was placed on the league’s Commissioner Exempt list. He cannot practice or play in games until taken off the list, but he is allowed to be around the Redskins on certain conditions.
Foster has been arrested three times in 2018, twice for domestic violence. His first domestic violence case was later dismissed after the woman recanted her story.
The same woman accused Foster of assaulting her at a hotel in Tampa on Nov. 24, which led to his latest arrest.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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