SEATTLE - Montorie Foster Jr. spent part of the last year in a classroom and part of it chasing one more shot at the NFL.
Now he’s on the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster.
The receiver’s path back to this point included a stint as a substitute teacher in Ohio, work toward a real estate license and the kind of uncertainty that usually ends dreams, not extends them. Foster was waived by Seattle during training camp last year, but he stayed in the fight, and this summer he finally turned another opportunity into a roster spot for the defending Super Super Bowl champions, who open the season Wednesday night at home against the New England Patriots.
“It was crazy. I know I worked so hard even when I was outside the building and I got cut, back at home.
I put in so much work, and I deserved it,” he said. “I put in the work and now we’re here today.”
Foster, 25, came out of Michigan State after a college career that included 108 catches for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns in 54 games. He also handled special teams duties there.
He went undrafted, then got a camp look from Seattle, but a hamstring injury led to him being waived with an injury designation. He later spent time on the Seahawks’ practice squad late in the season.
Once he was back home in Ohio, Foster worked 18 weeks as a substitute teacher while also pursuing a real estate agent path and staying in the gym.
“I had a Latin class. I don’t know any Latin, at all, so I was like, ‘Man, do y’all’s homework and I will just be here watching you all, and it was all good from there,” he joked. “No lesson plan, not at all.”
He kept training for another chance, and that chance arrived in this year’s camp. Foster became one of the breakout names on “Hard Knocks,” including a scene where he called his parents in Ohio to tell them he had made the team.
In that moment, he told his mom, “It really didn’t hit me yet, it feels like I’m dreaming. I’m like, y’all know the whole journey.
Everything, just going undrafted, and just having that night. That was the worst night of my life.
But I just kept working and shoot, now we’re here.”
His parents, Montorie and Michelle, hosted watch parties for every episode of the show.
“My phone has just been going crazy,” the younger Foster said of the attention from the series. “It’s definitely different, but I’m built for it. I’m super excited for the future and the plays to come.”
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has been openly impressed with what Foster has done.
“I’m saying the same thing as you guys are. It’s great.
He’s doing a great job for himself. He just really is,” Macdonald said.
“I don’t have anything else to add, except he’s doing a phenomenal job.”
Foster also made an early impression in Seattle’s first preseason game against the Cowboys, catching five passes for 36 yards and scoring the Seahawks’ only touchdown in a 17-7 loss. The score came on a 5-yard reception.
This season, he’s part of a receiver group that includes Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp and Tory Horton. Jake Bobo is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in practice during camp.
“I’ve learned a lot, like how to be a pro,” Foster said. “Those guys show up every day with the same mentality.
They come in, and they work. They take care of their bodies.
There’s just a lot of things that I’ve been learning from them. I’m just super grateful to have them in my room.”
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