Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers decade in review: Ranking the 15 most infamous moments

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tips the ball up in the air as outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 catches it to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tips the ball up in the air as outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 catches it to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Reuben Foster, 49ers
Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 12: 49ers Release Reuben Foster in 2018

The 49ers took a major gamble at the tail end of the 2017 NFL Draft, moving back up into Round 1 to grab linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31 overall.

Foster, as talented as he was at Alabama, had a checkered past which carried over into his pre-draft process, where his urine sample at the NFL Scouting Combine was diluted, treated as a positive. He also got into altercations with medical staff members there, resulting in him being asked to leave.

Nonetheless, the Niners took a chance on Foster, who quickly showcased his tremendous on-field talent and ability.

Related Story. Reuben Foster's release cast long shadow on 49ers' 2017 NFL Draft class. light

But there were legal problems. Then more legal problems, arrests, court dates and various other setbacks ultimately putting him in a bad position with San Francisco’s top brass. In November of 2018, Foster had yet another encounter with his ex-girlfriend while the team was in Tampa ahead of its game with the Buccaneers.

The 49ers elected to part ways with Foster before the game itself, ultimately ending what had been a tumultuous relationship between player and team.

This classic case of “what could have been?’ is something many Niners fans cringe about when looking back to the year-plus Foster spent in a 49ers uniform.