San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster's recent legal travails have now come to an end. According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, Foster pleaded no contest on Wednesday to a misdemeanor weapons charge. Foster was sentenced to two years of probation, 232 hours of community service, and $235 in fines.
Breaking: 49ers LB Reuben Foster pleads no contest to misdemeanor weapons possession. Foster sentenced to 2 years probation, 232 hours of community service, $235 total in fines. He is not allowed to have guns during course of probation.
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) June 6, 2018
The plea comes less than two weeks after a marijuana charge against Foster was dismissed by an Alabama judge. The Tuscaloosa County District Attorney told NFL.com that Foster's case was dropped because the linebacker completed "a diversion program that included education sessions and periodic drug testing."
Earlier that week, a series of domestic violence charges against Foster were dismissed by a Santa Clara County, California judge. The judge cited several reasons for dropping the charges, including but not limited to the accuser's having previously gone to jail for falsely reporting domestic violence incidents. (The accuser, Foster's ex-girlfriend Elisa Ennis, recanted her allegations in explosive testimony, when she admitted that she had made up the domestic violence allegations against Foster in order to make money.)
After the charges were dropped, 49ers GM John Lynch issued a statement:"The organization is aware the domestic violence charges against Reuben Foster were dismissed. As a result, he will have the opportunity to rejoin the team. It has been made clear to Reuben that his place on this team is one that must continue to be earned. We will continue to monitor the remaining misdemeanor charge."
Even after Foster put his legal issues behind him, the NFL could still elect to punish or suspend him under the personal conduct policy. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the league is still considering a multi-game suspension for Foster.
Despite 49ers' LB Reuben Foster pleading no contest to a misdemeanor weapons possession charge today, the NFL still is mulling a multi-game suspension for him, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 6, 2018
It is unknown what factors the NFL will consider in debating a possible suspension, or how those factors will be weighed. The league tends to mete out punishment on a case-by-case basis with little regard for precedent, so a wide range of results for Foster are possible.
