Elissa Ennis, the ex-girlfriend of now Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster, says she was “shocked” the Redskins claimed Foster off waivers days after the alleged assault in a Tampa hotel.
“When he got signed, I was like, ‘I can’t believe somebody picked him up,'” Ennis said in an interview with ABC News. “I just couldn’t believe somebody picked him up in less than… how many hours? I was shocked.”
She detailed the Nov. 24 incident in which Foster, then a member of the San Francisco 49ers, allegedly took her phone of our her hands, slapped her, and pushed her.
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-girlfriend of NFL star Reuben Foster recounts alleged assault as she speaks out to @ABC News' @LinseyDavis. https://t.co/IQ2g78h2zS pic.twitter.com/3BWDQbJWuq
— ABC News (@ABC) December 6, 2018
Ennis admitted the two had taken a break from their relationship, however, she was invited by Foster to see him while he was in Florida at the team’s hotel as they prepared for a Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She claims Foster was triggered when she told him she would tell his new girlfriend that he paid for her to fly there and see him.
“He invited me to come see himĀ in Florida,” Ennis said. “I came and he took one of my phones and he slapped me and pushed me.”
According to Ennis, Foster had physically abused her an estimated three times before the Tampa incident.
She also said she lied when she recanted her previous accusations of a February incident, because she did not want his NFL career to end.
“Love will have you doing things that’s not in your best interest because of the person you love,” Ennis said. “I did what I had to do for the person I love. I thought that he would change. Anybody in my position they would’ve did the same thing. If they shared a family with this person.”
Following the Nov. 24 incident, the 49ers waived the former Alabama product. The Redskins claimed Foster on Nov. 26. Washington was the only team to place a claim for Foster. He was immediately placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list and will remain on the list until legal matters stemming from the incident are resolved after the linebacker chose not to appeal the league’s destination.
The Redskins have faced a large amount of scrutiny from league executives, media, and fans for placing a claim for their decision to claim the troubled Foster. Ennis’ interview with ABC News will more than likely add to the backlash they’ve already face.
