Arian Foster | Money Don’t Make The Man, Or Does It?
You know the drill. Big contracts lead to the big purchases. Diamonds, chains, Bentleys, Range Rover Sports, multiple houses, and such. Money can also reveal the character of the athlete and at times, that can be a detriment to the team.
Believe it or not, this is a factor in how NFL teams determine the viability of a player and whether or not they can handle the pressures of wealth.
This upcoming season will be Foster’s fourth in the NFL. After a dazzling career at the University of Tennessee, he has gone on to average 4.7 yards per carry for the Houston Texans over three seasons. At one point, the NFL’s “Most Interesting Man” was battling three other running backs for the spotlight – including Chris Ogbonnaya (now with the Browns) and the bruiser – Ben Tate.
Here is where the story gets interesting. NFL teams don’t place big bets on running backs anymore but with Foster, they believe that he is such a fierce competitor, such a lover of football, and such a man of character that he is a sure bet for five years and $43.5 million dollars. $21 million of which is guaranteed.
He isn’t just a team member, feature back, or team leader anymore. The Houston Texans believe that he will be the face of the AFC South now that Peyton Manning has moved along to the Denver Broncos.
Why would a team pay so heavily for what is now seen as a dangerous investment? His character. “Money reveals you”, he has said. “I think it’ll bring out the philanthropist in me, the person I want to be who gives back. I’ll make sure my family’s future is secured. I’m not one to buy a car or chains and jewelry, not anything against those guys who do, to each his own. But that’s just not my style. I’m more about building a future and foundation for myself and bettering my community.”
Strong words. Imagine how hard this brilliant running back will compete. Money can make you run but nothing will make you break tackles like the need to compete for your foundation and for your future.
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[...] at some of the best NFL players in the league today. Arian Foster, the Houston Texans All-Pro running back was a three-star recruit in high school and went undrafted [...]