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D’Onta Foreman Reveals Tragic Event During 2016 Texas Football Season

By James Caldwell

Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) is chased by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Paul Banks III (28) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. UT defeated Texas Tech 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns running back D'Onta Foreman (33) is chased by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Paul Banks III (28) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium. UT defeated Texas Tech 45-37. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft, former Texas Longhorns RB D’Onta Foreman revealed a tragic loss during the 2016 Texas Football season.

In an interview with Andrea Kremer of NFL Network, D’Onta Foreman opened up about losing an infant son during last year’s Texas Football season.

Foreman never went public about having a son, nor his tragic loss. But, these events occurred in the middle of his breakout junior season when he won the Doak Walker Award as the best RB in college football.

“It was tough. It was so hard to keep stuff a secret,” Foreman told Kremer. “I didn’t want people feeling sorry for me, or anything like that. I just wanted to go out there and compete and give it my all.”

Somehow, Foreman was able to finish the season and set records while trying to cope with what was happening in his personal life.

D’onta Foreman Reveals Heartbreaking Series of Events

In a sit-down interview with Andrea Kramer, Foreman revealed that his son D’Onta, Jr. was born prematurely at only 23 weeks.

Foreman and his girlfriend were told that his son had a chance to live, which inspired Foreman to keep playing hard while his son fought for life.

  • September 16: D’Onta Foreman, Jr. was born in Texas.
  • Sept. 17: Foreman and the Longhorns lost to Cal on the road in California. Foreman memorably “rocked a baby to sleep” after scoring one of two TDs during the game. No one outside Foreman’s family understood the significance.
  • Mid-Sept. through October: D’Onta, Jr. continued to fight for life, but he suddenly developed an infection.
  • November 5: D’Onta, Jr. passed away just short of two months.
  • Nov. 5: That same day, Foreman and Texas were on the road in Lubbock playing Texas Tech. Foreman had the best game of his life, rushing for 341 yards and 3 TDs, including a 74-yard bolt to the endzone.

Foreman Leans on Twin Brother for Support

Somehow, Foreman made it through the Texas Tech game. Then, when the Horns got back to Austin, he and his twin brother Armanti Foreman drove back home to Texas City (outside of Houston).

“I really didn’t know how to feel. I was like numb,” Foreman said in the interview. “I was crying while I was driving. I was crushed; I was so hurt. I felt like something was taken away from me before I had a chance to experience it.”

Then, after the season was over, D’Onta had to decide whether to return to Texas for his senior season playing with his brother, or head to the NFL Draft. D’Onta decided he would honor his son’s memory by pursuing the NFL.

But, the story does not end there. D’Onta and his girlfriend are expecting a second child on Sept. 16 of this year, which would have been the first birthday of his first son.

“He will never be replaced, but to have another baby on that same day – I hope it happens,” Foreman said. “I’m going to do everything I can to make our name as big as it can be. He won’t be forgotten by me.”

Now, Foreman will turn this attention to the NFL Draft this weekend to find out his pro football destination. Hopefully, that will also include the healthy birth of his second child this fall.

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