Arian Foster: This is a Beautifully Violent Game
By Nafisa H
Arian Foster announced his surprise retirement on Monday night, expressing his love for the ‘beautifully violent game’ he excelled at.
“This is a beautifully violent game and the same reason I loved it is why I have to walk away.” That’s what Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster had to say on Monday night as he shocked the nation, announcing his retirement in a letter on Uninterrupted after an eight-year NFL career.
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“There comes a time in every athlete’s career when their ambition and their body are no longer on the same page,” Arian Foster wrote. “I’ve reached that point. It’s hard to write those words because this game been everything to me…my therapy, my joy, my solace and my enemy.”
Foster’s reasoned words echo the thoughts of many athletes. On the field, these athletes defy gravity and make plays out of this world. However, at the end of the day, they are still human. There’s only so much their bodies can take and Foster reminds us of this.
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Yes, football players, like many of us, love the physicality of the game. The anticipation of getting hit after a big play is thrilling to a lot of players. Yet, those hits, minor or major, take their toll.
While Arian Foster would love to go out a Super Bowl champion, the injury-riddled back will have to take pride in what he’s accomplished in his decorated career. The four-time Pro Bowl running back is the all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, yards per game and total scoring for a non-kicker in Houston Texans history after spending seven years with the franchise.
Some will question Arian Foster’s decision to retire young at the age of 30. However, this decision is an incredibly personal one. He, like several other players who retired young, put his blood, sweat and tears to a game he loves. And now, he chooses to walk away while he still can to reap the glory of his success.
Here’s to a very well-deserved retirement, Arian Foster.