Trusted veteran Ramon Foster quietly carving niche among all-time Steelers

Greg Adkins knew Ramon Foster from Foster’s junior year of high school through his five years as his position coach at Tennessee.

When Foster’s college career ended, Adkins was eager to volunteer his opinion to NFL teams in advance of the 2009 draft.

“A lot of scouts that come through will always try to get to the position coach and ask, ‘What do you think about this kid?’ ” Adkins said. “When they asked about Ramon, I said, ‘I tell you what: If you give him a shot, I guarantee you he plays 10 years in the National Football League.’

“And I think this is Year 11, if I’m not mistaken.”

Adkins is not, and, on Sunday, when Foster starts at left guard against the Buffalo Bills, according to pro-football-reference.com, he will tie Alan Faneca for the second-most games in Steelers history (158) at guard.

Only the late Sam Davis will have played more games (168) among guards. After Sunday, just seven offensive linemen in franchise history, regardless of position, will have appeared in more games than Foster.

“All I can say is that that is very humbling, very, coming where I come from,” Foster said. “Knowing (Faneca’s) significance here, that’s a pretty significant accomplishment. Pretty cool.”

Not bad for a player bypassed over 256 selections in the draft and signed for a $8,000 bonus after the Steelers had taken a guard, Kraig Urbik, with their second pick of that draft.

Foster beat out Urbik during their rookie training camp, the first of many occasions in which he countered outside perceptions. When a young linemen was drafted or Foster’s contract was expiring, it generally was assumed his time woth the Steelers was coming to a close.

Yet, Foster is on his third multiyear contract.

“I have been up against the wall a little bit, at times. I know that, for sure,” said Foster, who is second to Donnie Shell in career starts for the Steelers as an undrafted player.

“But I enjoy the competition. No matter who’s counting me out or what the case may have been with how they feel about me, I proved them all wrong. That’s a small pat on the back right there.”

Mike Tomlin clearly has an affinity for Foster. The Steelers coach told him he kept Foster’s psychological evaluation from the draft because it “verbatim” is “exactly what (Foster) is.”

Judging by Foster’s towering presence in the Steelers’ locker room, it surely contained something about leadership and personability.

“He’s one of those guys that I’ve looked up to since I’ve been here,” said eight-year veteran and All Pro guard David DeCastro.

Foster is not a team captain, but he is the Steelers’ union rep and often serves as an unofficial team spokesman of sorts.

“His voice speaks a lot in this room,” defensive captain Cameron Heyward said.

With Ben Roethlisberger out for the season, the 33-year-old Foster is the team’s elder statesman in experience and age.

“He’s the guy who wants to take care of you,” second-year tackle Chuks Okorafor said. “Whether you are a guy who plays or not, in Year 1 or Year 5, he doesn’t really care. He wants to take care of you in any way possible.”

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s relationship with Foster dates back more than 16 years. Fichtner called Foster’s leadership “outstanding.”

“He’s just got the right thing to say at the right time,” Fichtner said, “or, he doesn’t have to say anything, and he’s wired in.”

Fichtner said Foster’s influence extends beyond the offensive line room. Foster has been particularly valuable during a season in which so many young players are contributing on offense. Rookie quarterback Devlin Hodges has bonded with Foster, for example, about their shared undrafted status.

Longest-tenured athletes on Pittsburgh pro sports teams (debut):
1. Ben Roethlisberger (Sept 04)
2. Sidney Crosby (Oct 05)
3. Evgeni Malkin (Oct 06)
4. Kris Letang (Oct 06)
5. @RamonFoster (Sept 09)
6. Maurkice Pouncey (9-12-10)
7. Antonio Brown (9-19-10)
8. Josh Harrison(May'11)

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 23, 2018

“If you have any question about life in general, you can go to him and talk to him,” tackle Matt Feiler said. “He’s just a natural leader in the locker room and on the field. He’s one of those guys who’s a role model you want to look to and see what the right things to do are and what the right things to say are. He knows how to take care of himself and prepare for games.”

Foster’s preparation has carried him through 143 regular-season starts and 11 more in the playoffs. Only 20 active players have more in the postseason.

“When you’re smart, versatile, tough and available — and Ramon is all those things — you’re going to have a long, long career,” Adkins said.

All that’s missing are a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl honor. The former, Foster missed out by joining the organization about three months too late (it won Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009), though he did start the Super Bowl XLV loss.

In regards to the Pro Bowl, Foster concedes it was something that, at times, bugged him. DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva have multiple selections.

Maurkice Pouncey and Ramon Foster will continue to help form the core of our offensive line. pic.twitter.com/qV4xyYpaAE

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 8, 2019

Per pro-football-reference.com, no active NFL offensive lineman and only four players — regardless of position — have started more games than Foster and not made a Pro Bowl.

Like the sage advice his teammates say he offers, Foster has found peace with his career. He’s heard from friends with other organizations and is glad to be with the Steelers and secure in his place among his peers.

“All I ever wanted it to be is about the guys,” Foster said as he scanned around the room at his teammates. “I love the locker room. I love this team. I love playing for this team.

“All these games, all these years, it was meant to be for me here.”

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