Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster is breathing a sigh of relief it appears. According to TMZ Sports, domestic violence charges against Foster were dropped.
TMZ Sports has obtained a court document filed on Jan. 2 which shows the State Attorney’s Office in Florida has dismissed the misdemeanor charge against Foster stemming from a Nov. 24 incident with his ex-girlfriend.TMZ Sports
Foster was scheduled to appear at an arraignment in Hillsborough County, FL on Thursday morning — but the hearing was canceled after the notice of termination of prosecution was filed.
The reason is unknown why the prosecution dropped charges.
The alleged incident occurred on Nov. 24 between Foster and his ex-girlfriend Elissa Ennis while he was with the San Francisco 49ers at a team hotel in Tampa. Foster was arrested and charged for domestic violence.
Foster was later waived by the 49ers and claimed by the Redskins. Washington faced criticism for claiming Foster who was facing his second charge of domestic violence within a year.
Ennis appeared on “Good Morning America” on Dec. 6 detailing the alleged incident in Tampa. She said she was “shocked” the Redskins claimed Foster.
This is the second time domestic violence charges have been dropped against Foster, stemming from allegations from Ennis. A judge dropped charges in February after Ennis recanted her accusation Foster hit her.
In the interview with “GMA” following the second alleged incident she said she lied when she recanted the story because she did not want Foster’s NFL career to end.
For now, Foster remains on the league’s Commissioner’s Exempt List. It’s unclear if and when he will be removed and if he still faces any disciplinary actions such as suspension from the league.
It’s not unprecedented for a player to be suspended despite charges being dropped or filed, see Ezekiel Elliott. Foster was suspended for two games at the start of the 2018 season stemming from marijuana and weapons charges.
