Foster Remembers His Costly Start
August 7th, 2013
Chad Ochocinco and Geno Hayes never made good on public pledges to reimburse Mason Foster for the fine he got for this crushing (and ridiculously illegal) hit on Chad Ochocinco
Two years ago, then-rookie Mason Foster had only earned a few nickels in the NFL when he was smacked with a $20,000 fine by Roger Goodell after an August hit on Chad Ochocinco during his preseason debut in Tampa.
The fallout from the hit didn’t mess up his head, Foster told Joe yesterday. However, it was a wake-up call, something new Bucs rookies can learn a lesson from before tomorrow’s preseason opener.
“I didn’t realize how big it was until later on. And then you realize when you’re fined a bunch of money,” Foster said. “But it really didn’t affect me at the time. You learn things. Welcome to the NFL. You gotta play smarter. All the way around you can learn from stuff like that. I thought, ‘Oh, it’s my second game. I’m a rookie. They’re not really going to fine me that much money. I haven’t even gotten that kind of money yet.’ They don’t care. You learn that quick.
“I still play football the only way I know how to play, that’s fast and hard. At the same time you don’t want to get anyone hurt, but you can’t change the way you play. It’s a fine line.”
At he time, Ochocinco went public saying he would reimburse Foster personally because he disagreed with the fine. Geno Hayes also told Joe that he and other Bucs would help Foster pay the fine as a show of support. But that financial assistance never made its way to Foster.
“No. Nobody helped me out with that,” Foster told Joe yesterday.
Joe replied to Foster, “that wasn’t cool.” And Foster replied, “Exactly.”
A tackling machine in college and the leading NFL rookie tackler in 2011, Foster said New Schiano Order tackling teachings have helped him improve and potentially avoid fines.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot about tackling since Coach Schiano came in here, pressing the hip, you know, taking better angles and what tackles to use in different in situations, ” Foster said. “So it’s made me a better tackler. And we work on it every day.”
August 7th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
For the record Joe your article kinda paints the other players in a bad light. The league said players are not allowed to help other players pay fines. Also I think he goes by Johnson again
August 7th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
Why doesn’t the NFL use the “fine” money collected to help pay off stadiums of respective cities…?
August 7th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Why do you come here to talk about money instead of football?
August 7th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Who says other players didn’t help him? Are they supposed to admit that and risk ANOTHER fine?
August 7th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
@ Glen
I read somewhere that they donate that fine money to local charities. It sucks that he was fined, but at least it goes to a good cause.
August 7th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Awesome that he implies that his coaching is better with Schiano! Thanks Joe.
August 7th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Hey F-Tard (couchhag), the article makes reference to money. So I opined. Go get your GED.
August 7th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
Lol another loser who has to resort to name calling. Your a stupid head! Ill get my GED when you get a life! this is a sports site about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… you must be a sad sad human being to come here routinely to talk about the government and money
I’ll let you troll some more now.
August 7th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
Gotta love Foster & David together…2 tackling machines that can run…
August 7th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Chad Johnson is a complete waste of human existence. There are many divas like Chad in the NFL but it sure looks as if the Bucs have completely weeded out those vermin. Schiano talked about players staying on their feet in practice and not going to the ground causing roll up injuries. He is so smart and as ACL’s are tearing all over the league, Schiano is taking extra precautions. I swear our head coach is always one step ahead of the pack and he is building a model franchise with Dom and the Glazers. I don’t think they could have found a better man to lead the team.
August 7th, 2013 at 9:38 pm
BigMacAttack I agree 1000%…Schaino is the man…I want a #1 Schiano jersey…lol…2013 coach of the year…