Miami Dolphins

Arian Foster: 5 Best Career Moments

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:21 p.m. ET

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Taking a look back at the best moments in the career of Arian Foster following his surprise retirement announcement on Monday

Arian Foster announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday night, news that shocked the football world. The veteran running back signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, but has been out due to injuries (a theme for his career) for several weeks. He released a statement simply saying that he knew it was time for him to leave the game.

Foster came into the league as a member of the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. After just one season, he’d earned the starting nod with the Texans and went on to become one of the best players in the history of the young franchise. However, the end of his career was marred by missed time and a litany of injuries.

However, this isn’t about the injuries that ultimately led to his retirement. Instead, it’s about the things that made him such a special player when he was in his prime.

Let’s take a look back at some of the best and most enjoyable moments of Arian Foster’s career.

Oct 25, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster leaves the field in the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 44-26. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arriving with Authority

After the Texans picked up the Tennessee Volunteers product as an undrafted free agent, Foster played in only six games as a rookie. During training camp and the preseason the next year, though, he earned the starting job. In his first game as the starting running back in Houston, he announced his presence in a way that couldn’t be ignored.

Playing against a divisional foe in the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2010 campaign, Foster was an absolute workhorse for the Texans. He carried the ball 33 times and lit up the Peyton Manning led Colts. Averaging seven yards per carry, Foster finished the day with 231 yards rushing and three trips to the end zone. Though it was minimal, he also added seven yards receiving on his one reception.

His first game as the unquestioned starter for the Texans and Foster absolutely dominated the competition. His 231 yards rushing would wind up being his career-high and rightfully so considering what an absurd total that is. Not too shabby for a guy that didn’t hear his name called during the NFL draft.

Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

4. Threatening to Punch Case Keenum if the QB Cried

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In the 2014 NFL season, the Texans were coming off an abysmal 2013 campaign in which quarterback Case Keenum struggled mightily—something that Los Angeles Rams fans can currently relate to. However, Keenum got a starting nod again in 2014 and earned his first win as a starting quarterback in the NFL and with the Texans. That’s a particularly emotional moment for any player. However, Keenum knew not to get too emotional.

After the big win for Keenum in his career, Arian Foster reportedly told Keenum that he would punch him if he cried. Perhaps that had something to do with the fact that the win wasn’t that important for the team. However, it was more than likely due to the fact that the running back saw no place for that in the NFL.

Yes, punching your quarterback for crying—or threatening to—may not be the best course of action. Even still, it’s an absolutely hilarious moment from the running back’s career. How many players in the history of the league can say that they essentially muscled their quarterback into not being overly emotional? Not many would be my guess, which is why this gem makes the list of his best career moments.

Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs with that ball against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

3. That Time He Beat the Titans in Every Way Possible

As stated, Foster’s first game of the 2010 season and his debut as the starter for the Texans was his best rushing performance. However, the best overall game and performance of his career may have come the next season. I’m sure you if you ask any members of the 2011 Tennessee Titans defense or any Titans fans, they’ll certainly agree that he was on another level on Oct. 23, 2011.

For starters, Foster couldn’t be stopped on the ground.

The starter carried the rock 25 times on the day for 115 yards and two touchdowns. However, Foster wasn’t done there in the slightest as he was also the leading receiver on the day for the Texans. When the clock finally read triple-zeroes—mercifully for the Titans—Foster hauled in five catches for 119 yards and another touchdown.

Without question, rushing for 200+ yards is impressive. However, it was games like the ones against the Titans in which Foster was able to show off his full array of skills. He was an underrated pass-catcher for most of his career, but could burn you that way just as quickly as he could with the run. Just another reason why he had his day as one of the best backs in the NFL.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

2. Rearranging Furniture After Going Undrafted

Quite frankly, this moment most likely had very little impact on his career—or at least an immediate one. Even more so, it’s completely silly and not at all meaningful. However, it’s one of those little-known or seldom discussed moments that just makes Foster as a person a bit more endearing as we fondly remember his career.

Despite being projected as a likely late-round draft pick when he came out of Tennessee, Foster waited all seven rounds. In the end (as stated), he went undrafted and was left to try and fight for a spot to get into the league. Obviously he went on to do that. But after his NFL-leading rushing production in 2010, he was profiled by ESPN the Magazine. In the profile, he talked about the moments immediately following the draft when he wasn’t selected.

Of course Foster said that he stared longingly in the room and said he’d make it. However, the part that’s too weird not to be true is that the running back then rearranged the furniture in the room before he started going to work to try and make it to the league. Yes, he just experienced immense disappointment and decided to redecorate. How do you not like the guy at least a little bit after hearing something that wonderfully quirky?

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) rushes during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. He Made It

After he finally figured out where he wanted to put the couch and chair following the draft, Foster worked and worked until he got on with the Texans. After getting on with Houston, he continued to bust his tail and prove himself. And when he finally got the opportunity to make it happen, he didn’t let go as he became a premier NFL running back. Pulling that off is by far the best moment of his career.

Sure, it’s not a particular or specific point or game in his career that it happened during or concerning. However, this is a guy who always seemed to underachieve in college, then seemed too big at 6-1 for the NFL. However, he didn’t let not being selected in the 2009 draft or anything else deter him. He made it by continually working and continuing to prove himself.

That’s the story of plenty players in the league who have long careers. However, few (if any) of those players were able to produce at the level and with the longevity that Foster did at such a fickle position. At many points throughout his time with the Texans, he could’ve been considered one of the two-to-three best running backs in the league. That’s an inspirational story to get behind considering where his NFL career started—or rather didn’t start—in the draft.

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