Steelers guard Ramon Foster announces retirement after 11 NFL seasons

Faced with being a casualty to the salary cap, Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster announced his retirement Monday after 11 NFL seasons.

“When the time comes, you just know, and now is the time for me to take a bow,” Foster said in a statement released by the Steelers. “I’ve made some friends for a lifetime, had some moments that I’ll never forget and seen some things I never thought I would because of this game.”

Foster, 34, was the second-longest tenured Steelers player, trailing only quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He started 145 out of 160 career games with the Steelers, but he entered the offseason with an uncertain future because of his age and $4 million base salary. The Steelers will save that amount on the salary cap.

“I’m glad to say I was a Steeler for life, and there is no other organization I would have rather played for in my career,” Foster said.

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When the time comes, you just know and now is a time for me to take a bow. I’ve had a long, fun and life changing career. Who would have ever thought an undrafted kid out of the University of Tennessee would make it in the NFL for 11 years. I’ve made some friends for a lifetime, had some moments that I’ll never forget and seen some things I never thought I would because of this game. I’d like to first thank my wife for supporting me through this experience and I know for sure you are my number 1 fan. My sons, who were raised in this league from birth so far, they went from being the youngest in the locker room to the oldest. To the Steelers organization, thank you to Coach Tomlin, Mr. Rooney, Ambassador Rooney, and Kevin Colbert for making Pittsburgh feel like a family. All the coaches who I’ve had the opportunity to run into or be coached by in the organization, thank you. To the staff, secretaries, cooks, janitors, John Norwig and his training staff for caring the way you guys have, Coach Giemont and Marcell for always being who you guys are, I love it. My trainer James Wilson, thanks for getting me ready every year even though I hated you everyday lol. Father Paul, thanks for always being a friend and support since the time I met you at St. Vincent in Latrobe, PA. The guys who I’ve played with over the years, I love you guys like brothers but of course Pouncey, Ben, Al, Dave and Gil(I know he’s not there but he’s an OG) we all grew up together and I’ve enjoyed every minute of that. From being one of the “worst” OLs in the league to having one of the best OLs in all of sports while helping lead one of the best offenses in the NFL. To the fans thank you for being the best fan bases in the world, the passion comes out in all kind of ways. I could go on and on and will thank a lot of you personally. I’m glad to say, a Steeler for life, no other organization I would have rather played for and I hope my time was just as enjoyable as yours. Young guys, enjoy what you can get from this league, don’t just play the game, learn the game, learn the business and be better than when you came into this league. A time will come when we all write up a farewell 2 this chapter

A post shared by Ramon Foster (@theramonfoster) on Mar 16, 2020 at 11:31am PDT

Foster signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009 out of Tennessee. He moved into the starting lineup two years later and spent the next nine seasons as a fixture at left guard.

In his final season, Foster started 14 games when the Steelers finished 8-8. He also doubled as the team’s player representative and was their conduit for negotiations in the recent collective bargaining agreement.

“I want to congratulate Ramon on his career in Pittsburgh,” coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “Ramon was class in every way, professional in every way, and I think his career is indicative of what this professional football journey should be about. He went from being an undrafted free agent to giving us over a decade of service at an extremely high level. I am honored to be associated with him and wish he and his family the best of luck in his retirement.”

Foster’s backup, B.J. Finney, is an unrestricted free agent and could begin negotiating with teams Monday at noon. If he is not re-signed, the Steelers could move right tackle Matt Feiler to guard to fill Foster’s spot.

In addition to being the team’s union rep, Foster was a well-liked member of the locker room. Defensive end Cameron Heyward wrote on Twitter that he will “miss the battles” with Foster in practice.

“To see the father, husband and man that you are has been a joy,” Heyward wrote.” I know this ain’t the end of you’re great life story but wanted to say congratulations on your retirement!”

Gonna miss the battles w/ @RamonFoster You’ve have been a heck of a teammate! To see the father, husband and man that you are has been a joy. I know this ain’t the end of you’re great life story but wanted to say congratulations on your retirement! pic.twitter.com/zJYpnulJKa

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) March 16, 2020