{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1984)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Willie Foster | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | number = 17 | position = Wide receiver | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|12|13|mf=y}} | birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 9 | weight_lb = 170 | high_school = | college = Rutgers | undraftedyear = 2007 | pastteams = * Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2007}}) | highlights = * Big East Special Teams Player of the Year (2005) | cfl = }} '''Willie Foster''' (born December 13, 1984) is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He played college football for Rutgers, then played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2007.
== Early life == Willie Foster was born on December 13, 1984, in Miami, Florida.<ref name="StatsCrew">{{cite web |title=Willie Foster Statistics |url=https://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=fostewil002 |website=StatsCrew.com |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> He began his football career at Miami Central High School.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sergeant, Keith |title=Florida receiver among 3 verbals for Schiano |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71397123/the-courier-news/ |newspaper=The Courier-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 24, 2003 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> Although Foster sat out his freshman and sophomore seasons,<ref>{{cite news |author=Franklin, Paul |title=Speedy Foster catching on with Scarlet Knights |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71396494/the-courier-news/ |newspaper=The Courier-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 16, 2005 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> he was a dual athlete in both football and track and field. As a football player, Foster started every game as a junior and senior as a wide receiver for the Miami Central Rockets, totaling 17 touchdowns in two years. Foster was also part the 2002 Miami Central track and field team, which won the Class 6A state title, led by teammate Bershawn Jackson. After graduating from Miami Central in 2003 he was considered a four-star football prospect by Rivals.com. He eventually accepted a Rutgers University scholarship offer.
== College career == As a freshman for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in 2003, Foster played a total of six games as a wide receiver and kick returner. As a freshman Foster totaled four kickoff returns for 67 yards and four punt returns for 54 yards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Willie Foster College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/willie-foster-1.html |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
As a sophomore in 2004, Foster scored his first collegiate touchdown on an 80-yard kickoff return against the UConn Huskies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=243300164|title=Connecticut vs. Rutgers - Game Summary - November 25, 2004 - ESPN}}</ref>
As a junior in 2006, Foster was one of six Rutgers players who earned All-Big East honors, and he was named the Big East Special Teams Player of the Year. Foster was also named to the All-Big East First Team as a kick returner/punt returner.<ref>{{cite web |title=Six Scarlet Knights Earn All-Big East Football Honors |url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2005/12/7/Six_Scarlet_Knights_Earn_All_BIG_EAST_Football_Honors.aspx |website=Rutgers University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
==Professional career== Foster played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2007.<ref name="StatsCrew"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite news |author=Aiello, John |title=Friendly Rivalry: Three freshmen from Miami bonding quickly at Rutgers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71397262/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/ |newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 10, 2003 |access-date=February 18, 2021}} *{{cite news |author=Kinkhabwala, Aditi |title=Longtime friends and teammates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71396790/the-record/ |newspaper=The Record |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 23, 2003 |access-date=February 18, 2021}} *{{cite news |author=Aiello, John |title=Foster takes over punt-return duties |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71397001/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/ |newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 29, 2003 |access-date=February 18, 2021}} *{{cite news |author=Franklin, Paul |title=Foster an added threat on returns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71396629/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/ |newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 16, 2005 |access-date=February 18, 2021}} *{{cite news |author=Sargeant, Keith |title=Special-teams success isn't enough for Foster |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71396247/the-courier-news/ |newspaper=The Courier-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 19, 2006 |access-date=February 18, 2021}} *{{cite news |author=Sargeant, Keith |title=Foster waits for someone to kick the ball to him |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71396390/the-courier-news/ |newspaper=The Courier-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=February 18, 2021}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Willie}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Miami Category:American football wide receivers Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football players Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players Category:Players of Canadian football from Miami