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http://www.soonersblog.com/2015/05/former-sooner-all-american-eddie-foster.html
http://www.soonersblog.com/2015/05/former-sooner-all-american-eddie-foster.html
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Eddie was in the Wylie-Pruitt class, but played a year longer as one of the few in the class who redshirted.
I remember walking by accidentally hearing a conversation while he was still in the non varsity dressing room. He was talking with Jimmy Johnson who was presenting the case for him to redshirt before his soph year. They hadn't decided where to play him and he was considered a DTackle possibility at the time. Ended up alternating with Robert Jensen at tackle some in 1971 and by his fifth year, was one of the few older guys on that great 73 team that was loaded with sophs from the freshman class of '72: Washington, Selmon, Selmon, Owens.
This is a sad deal. Eddie wouldn't have made it to retirement age yet, if you consider 65 to be the benchmark. But the last couple of times I saw him, was when they introduced alums at a couple of spring games, and he'd gotten really overweight looking.
A really good man. Active in BSU and ROTC. From out in the desolate area of west Texas, called Monohans. A loss of another great Sooner. Too many guys from that era left us way too soon.
DOK...Additional Coverage...
http://newsok.com/former-all-american-football-player-dies/article/5419410
I loved Eddie as a human being, but I wouldn't rate him in the top ten of the wishbone era. He was redshirted because every starter in 1971 was better than he was. Brahaney was a two time AA. Dean Unruh and Ken Jones were studs. Darrell Emmert was a three year starter. Eddie alternated with Robert Jensen because he wasn't one of the top five. Robert started and played more. Jensen was older by a year. Eddie got his reps, but he wasn't as good as those five guys. Look at guys who came later and there were some really good OLinemen. Not trying to dis somebody who just passed.
Eddie was a guy who cared about doing a great job. I don't believe he stuck in the NFL though he was drafted. There would be some people who liked Mike Vaughn better. John Roush was a three year starter. Eddie wasn't really a full time starter until his senior season.
But I'd think there were a lot of great linemen over a 20 year period, until it finally went away.
Not sure if you'd consider Chuck Thomas a wishbone era guy, but he was a GREAT player.
Mark Hudson. Some of the guys who blocked for Billy Sims and Kenny King. It's hard to compare guys from the early 70s to the mid to late 80s.
I'd look at three or maybe a few four year starters.
Thanks to our gal Senior Sooner for the original post. Us "younger" fans need reminding of our greats from the past.