Anyone that’s kept up with Arian Foster over the years is well aware that the former Vol is a complex personality.
In college, Foster became known as a bit “different” when he would only give interviews in “pterodactyl”.
The reputation of being different has followed him to the NFL. Foster is frequently involved in discussions on social media that revolve around the cosmos and where we as humans rightfully stand in the universe.
So it probably comes as no shock that Foster recently revealed to ESPN that he’s an atheist.
From ESPN:
"“Everybody always says the same thing: You have to have faith,” he says. “That’s my whole thing: Faith isn’t enough for me. For people who are struggling with that, they’re nervous about telling their families or afraid of the backlash … man, don’t be afraid to be you. I was, for years.”"
If Tim Tebow is Jack Shephard from Lost, then Foster is John Locke.
A man of science versus a main of faith.
There’s no question that Foster will be praised by some and ridiculed by others. Much like Tebow has been.
In fact, Foster and Tebow probably have a lot more in common than most folks realize.
They’re both, now with Foster as an open atheist, the poster boys for their respective religion. Or in Foster’s case, non-religion.
Both of them are going to catch hell from those with opposing view points. And they’re both willing and ready to accept the attacks, while standing for something they believe is greater than themselves.
At the end of the day, personal beliefs are exactly that — personal.
Unfortunately, however, too many people make personal belief systems a reason to attack. Typically going completely against what their own belief system teaches.
You can never go wrong with kindness and compassion.
Hopefully that’s how the rest of the NFL, and the world at large, will treat Foster. Even if they disagree with his beliefs.