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D’Onta Foreman experiences highs and lows of NFL life

By James Caldwell

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 29: D'Onta Foreman #33 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half on October 29, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 29: D'Onta Foreman #33 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half on October 29, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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Former Texas Longhorns standout RB D’Onta Foreman experienced the highs and lows of professional football in the span of two weekends.

First, D’Onta Foreman was recognized by his hometown of Texas City (just outside of Houston) with a special D’Onta Foreman Day.

One weekend later, Foreman was arrested at a party in Austin.

By all accounts, Foreman is a quality person who cares deeply about his family. That’s why his arrest early Sunday, July 16 does not match up with his character.

It’s more of another cautionary tale about the challenges that come with a career in the spotlight. He’s now as a professional football player who has to make more important decisions that when he was in college one year ago.

The High: D’Onta Foreman Day

D’Onta Foreman was recognized by Texas City on Saturday, July 8.

Included was a proclamation from the mayor, a city-wide celebration, and all the hoopla that comes with having your own day in your hometown.

Foreman’s actual birthday is April 24. So, it’s like getting to celebrate a second birthday on July 8 going forward.

Of course, there was extra excitement for D’Onta Foreman Day because the former Longhorns RB is staying home in the Houston area to play for the Houston Texans.

But, things changed just one weekend later.

https://twitter.com/DayDay409/status/884096529862152192

The Low: Austin Arrest

Before the Houston Texans travel to West Virginia for training camp, D’Onta Foreman decided to return to Austin to visit friends the weekend of July 15.

According to reports, Foreman was stopped by campus police to search his vehicle. Inside was a gun and marijuana. Foreman was arrested on possession charges, then released from jail on Sunday morning.

After the arrest, Foreman’s attorney denied any wrongdoing. The account is that a passenger in Foreman’s vehicle possessed the marijuana and his firearm was legally registered according to Texas law.

How this plays out in court is one matter. (Foreman is scheduled for an initial court hearing on July 31.)

Another matter is how the Houston Texans organization handles this situation, especially as it relates to the court of public opinion.

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The bottom line is that Foreman either made a poor decision himself or through association. Neither one is a good look.

Foreman is still expected to be part of the Texans’ training camp later this month, creating an opportunity to redeem himself with teammates, fans, and his hometown supporters.

The series of events from one weekend to the next capture how difficult is to stay on the right path in the NFL. Just ask Ezekiel Elliott. There is added attention, pressure, and scrutiny at the next level of athletics.

Foreman handled it terrifically in Austin last season when he broke records, rushed for more than 2,000 yards, and won the 2016 Doak Walker Award for best RB in the nation all while dealing with a family tragedy in his life.

The former Longhorns RB is off to a bumpy start in his pro career. But, we expect Foreman to learn from the highs and lows of NFL life to become a big factor for the Texans in 2017.

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