There was once a time when five-star linebacker recruit Reuben Foster was so certain he would be playing college ball at Auburn that he got a tattoo to prove it. Then, the Tigers struggled through a 3-9 season and fired Gene Chizik. According to Al.com, Foster has decommitted from Auburn and is now considering Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Washington and Miami. So, about that tattoo…
After the news began circulating that he had decommitted from Auburn on Tuesday, Foster posted the following message on Twitter:
Not getting rid of the tattoo supporting my big cuz Ladarius Phillip R.I.P#keepingit
— Reuben Foster (@reubenfoster_FG) December 7, 2012
Former Auburn player Ladarious Phillips (Foster should probably learn how to spell his cousin’s name) was killed in a shooting that took place near the Auburn campus last summer. I’m sure whatever school Foster decides to commit to will respect his tattoo tribute, but I can’t imagine there have ever been many Auburn tattoos in the Alabama locker room. Remember, we’re talking about fan bases that poison each other’s trees.
It’s no surprise that Foster no longer wants to play at Auburn after they fired Chizik and dismissed all of their assistant coaches. However, his story should serve as a lesson to college recruits across the country. Don’t use ink to make your announcements — haircuts get the message across just fine.
