The Fever
Arian Foster breaks out a new look for the playoffs, vows to be Dream Shakedominant against Bengals
Arian Foster must carry the Texans offense against the Bengals.Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
Arian Foster is breaking out a new playoff look.@DuaneBrown76
Think pro athletes are jaded? That all they care about are their supersized paychecks?
You need to see Arian Foster get ready for a playoff game. If there is anyone on the Houston Texans' roster who should be caught up in the business of professional football, it's Foster. The Pro Bowl tailback is finishing out a very NFL-modest $525,000 contract. In many ways, he's playing for national recognition in this NBC showcased matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
And what does Foster do before the game?
He gets the Texans' logo shaved into his head like a high school kid getting pumped up for the big homecoming game. It's a move that delights his teammates, bringing a bunch of pros back to when they played the game for fun. Left tackle Duane Brown first let the world in on Foster's playoff hair art, tweeting a picture of the new 'do — one that's complete with the Texans' bull horns and single star.
Think Foster is into it a little?
When he scores the first playoff touchdown in Texans' franchise history, tying the game at 7 in the first quarter, Foster breaks out Houston Rockets Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon's Dream Shake as part of his celebration. He faked left, then right, then shot the football over the goal post with a basketball shooting motion. Call it Foster's version of the all-time Houston playoff great's signature move. Foster added his own signature Namaste bow later.
Foster gets the Texans' logo shaved into his head like a high school kid getting pumped up for the big homecoming game. It brings a bunch of pros back to when they played the game for fun.
The undrafted free agent has more yards from scrimmage (4,055 yards) than any other player in the NFL the last two seasons. But the Texans' time in the spotlight has been limited during that span. There is only one game shown at a time in the playoffs though — only one venue where all eyes will be locked this afternoon.
To say Foster is pumped about that is putting it lightly.
He's talked about preparing for this game like no other. It started even before he knew the Bengals team that held him to 41 yards (on 15 carries) in Week 14 would be in the way and it's only built as the game's gotten closer. With the Texans starting a rookie fifth-round draft pick at quarterback, Foster — and his ability to break long runs — could be the key to the game. The offense will go as he goes.
"This city hasn’t seen a playoff game for so many years, and just to be a part of something that a city hasn’t seen for a while, it brings a lot of hope to a lot of people," Foster said this week. "It means a lot to a lot of people. I take my job seriously. I’m going to put my heart on the line for my teammates, myself, and our city."
And for his hair.
