Barry Foster Kickoff Blunder vs 49ers 1990

Does anyone remember a young Barry Foster not fielding a kickoff vs the 49ers?

I haven't thought about this play for forever until today.

Hopefully Kaleb Johnson turns it around. One thing is for sure. He is not ready to be on an NFL field yet. Some rookies can play right away. Some cannot. Johnson falls in the cannot category IMO.

 

+2

On October 21, 1990, Steelers rookie Barry Foster made a significant special teams blunder against the 49ers by treating a kickoff like a punt, letting it bounce to the 49ers at their 5-yard line and allowing them to score shortly after to blow open a close game. Foster's gaffe, which he later explained as a momentary lapse, was the turning point in the 49ers' 27-7 victory.
Details of the incident:

• Date: October 21, 1990.
• Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers.
• Foster's Role: Rookie running back, returning a kickoff.
• The Mistake: Foster did not field the kickoff, but instead let it bounce by him, effectively treating it like a punt.
• The Result: The 49ers recovered the live ball at the Steelers' 5-yard line.
• Game Impact: San Francisco scored a touchdown three plays later to extend a 13-7 lead to 20-7, which proved to be the decisive blow in their 27-7 victory.
• Aftermath: Foster was largely taken out of the kick return role after the incident but went on to have a successful career.

 

The above is an AI synopsis of the play.

 

I remember that play

 

I remember the Foster play. On Johnson what are/were then trying to accomplish? Was it supposed to be something to inspire him? We have guys with speed and experience, I tried to find anything on Johnson as a KOR in college, saw something where he might have done it his soph. year, but that's as far as I got, might have more but the choices that haunt start with the coach.

 

The new NFL trend is to have running backs return kicks. To me it's stupid. You need your best return guys back there regardless of position. Kaleb Johnson offers nothing being back there. The Seahawks continously kicked right at KJ. Smart move by them. Dumb move by the Steelers to have KJ back there just to get him on the field.

 

I remember it. Barry didn’t turn out too bad though. Nice RB.

 

Yeah, Foster was a beast in 92. Too bad he couldn't stay healthy.

 

I remember watching that game. Bill Walsh was the color guy in the booth. The Steelers offense was floundering in it's first year under Joe Walton*, but the defense was really good, finishing number one in the league I think. For a while the D was able to keep the Steelers in the game including with a pick of Joe Montana by Rod Woodson. But Barry's blunder set the 9ers up about the 5, and they scored shortly thereafter. The Steelers were pretty much done after that.

*No offensive touchdowns in the first month of the season, though they did manage to beat Houston with a pick six and a punt return TD, Houston themselves trying to figure out their new Jack Pardee Run and Shoot offense.

 

He returned kicks his freshman year, then less as a sophomore as his role got bigger on offense. No kick returns as a junior.

 

Hey J E, where’s the O?

I remember that sign at Three Rivers.

 

There has only been 4 of these blunders in NFL history and the Steelers have 2 of them.

 

I will never forget Bubby doing an interview where he spouted off one of the play calls. The terminology was so ridiculous it took him almost 30 seconds to get through making the play call.

 

And he would be flapping his arms like a bird.

I think Noll or Myron said he’s going to fly if he keeps that up.

 

Remember it well was tellin my wife bout it. Alas I do t see Johnson goin on a do Barry things

 

I thought it was four that were recovered for touchdowns. Foster's was recovered in the field of play.

 

I posted a video of it on another thread not long after the game.

 

i remember plaxico burress catching a pass and falling down and wasnt touched getting up and spiking the ball being recovered by the DEF

 

Was that after they found a bale of weed in the trunk of his car?

 

That was bam morris

 

And Eric Greene

 

Whoops wrong running back.

 

nice to lead in this category

 

He was a tight end and never arrested for marijuana

 

I immediately thought of this. "oh no!... not again!!"