Arian Foster backtracks on getting paid $50,000 at Tennessee

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is claiming on social media that he was joking when he said on ESPN Radio on Thursday that he was paid $50,000 at Tennessee.

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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster made a fairly stunning claim on ESPN Radio on Thursday, suggesting he was paid nearly $50,000 while at Tennessee.

However, a day later, Foster is claiming that he was joking.

Vol fans, it was a joke. I didn't get no where near 50k.
— feeno (@ArianFoster) January 30, 2015

Anybody that went to college w me knows I ain't get no 50k lol
— feeno (@ArianFoster) January 30, 2015

Whether Foster was actually joking about just how much he was paid in college, it’s clear that was paid some amount. Foster had admitted previously to being paid in college and spoke at length about it during the ESPN Radio appearance (H/T SI.com).

"“You have people help you out here and there, man” Foster said. “Because boosters and [alumni] and ex-players — they all know how it is, man. It’s hard, you’re living check to check and you don’t have enough money to go out to the movies or any kind of leisure activity. And you’re not allowed to get a job. Especially when I was in college, they were a lot more stringent on those rules, so at any given chance I got the opportunity, I took a free handout. Absolutely.”"

That Foster has been so public about how he was paid in college has Volunteer fans quite upset with him.

“@Jon_Clabo: @ArianFoster way to backstab and betray a fan base that once loved you.”

Really startin to think some of yall are delusional
— feeno (@ArianFoster) January 30, 2015

“@CaptainHulk3: That's not a joke or funny! I'm sure Coach Fulmer appreciates it!”

Fulmer sittin in a million $ home cuz people like me.
— feeno (@ArianFoster) January 30, 2015

While Volunteer fans are upset with him, many other football fans surely appreciate Foster being so open about an aspect of college football that is rarely discussed so bluntly.

The Texans signed Foster after he went undrafted out of Tennessee in 2009. He quickly emerged as one of the best running backs in the NFL and is still at the top of his game today. Foster rushed for 1,246 yards on 4.8 yards per carry and eight touchdowns during the 2014 season.

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