Barry Foster Bio: Family, Career, NFL & Net Worth

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On the one hand, many NFL stars are famous, who have made a huge fortune out of their long thriving careers. But, on the other hand, there are some whose careers were cut short due to various circumstances.

Yet, they are humble and grateful for what they had long ago. Barry Forster is a great example of such an NFL player who cherishes his short NFL career even today.

Despite his unfortunate injuries and short career, Barry still recalls his time in the NFL like yesterday. The former NFL star may not have had a thriving long career, but what he had, was short and exceptional.

Barry Foster is a former American Football player. He was an active player in NFL from 1990 to 1995. 

Barry Foster, a former American NFL runningback
Barry Foster, a former American NFL runningback

Moreover, the down-to-earth player Foster served as running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers. He has a record of rushing yards 3,943 and a rushing average of 4.3.

Furthermore, he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks in college.

After retiring in 1995, Barry served as a coach at DeLay Middle School for a while and now is working as an Assistant Principal at Grand Prairie High School in Texas.

Before getting into details of this humble star Foster, let’s check some facts about him.

Quick Facts: Barry Foster

Full Name Barry Foster
Birth Date December 8, 1968
Birth Place Hurst, Texas, USA
Nick Name Not Available
Religion Christian
Nationality American
Ethnicity Black
Education Duncanville High School, University of Arkansas
Horoscope Sagittarius
Father’s Name Not Available
Mother’s Name Not Available
Siblings Not Available
Age 55 years old
Weight 101 kg (223lb)
Height 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)
Eye Color Black
Hair Color Black
Married Yes
Wife Teray M Foster
Profession Former Professional Football Player
League National Football League (NFL)
Team Pittsburgh Steelers
Position Running back
Children Janea Foster, Barry Foster Jr, Tamara M. Foster, Shayne Foster
Net Worth (2021) $1 million to $5 million
Retirement 1995
Social Media Not Available
Merch Rookie Card, Pittsburgh Steelers Hats
Last Update March, 2024

Barry Foster | Age, Body Measurement, and Horoscope

The talented footballer Foster is 55 years old as of March, 2024. Though he retired from his football career almost 26 years ago, he still is in good shape.

Now he pursues golf in his leisure time and encourages others to stay active.

Talking about his physique, Foster is 5 feet and 10 inches tall, which may not be ideal for a football player.

However, his height did not stop him from playing as a running back. Foster admits that instead of feeling bad about his stature, he always gave his best in what he did.

Moreover, Barry falls under the zodiac sign Sagittarius in Western Astrology. Sagittarians are one of the most optimistic people out there. They are energetic folks who love their freedom more than anything else.

Barry Foster | Early Life & Childhood 

The unassuming star, Foster, did not have an ideal childhood. He was born and raised by a single parent. Sadly, not much can be found regarding his parent and childhood. 

After observing some of his interviews and public appearances, we can say that he was raised to become a good man. Barry started supporting his family financially from an early age.

Despite financial instability, Barry dreamt of becoming a football player when he was young, which came true when he got drafted in 1990 in the NFL.

Moreover, Barry went to Duncanville High School, located in Texas, which has produced other great athletes. Like Barry, Donald Ray Crockett, an NFL cornerback, also went to Duncanville High school.

Personal Life | Wife & Children

Foster has been an ideal father for his children and husband for his wife, unlike his childhood and upbringing. Yes, this 52-year-old former NFL star is married. 

Likewise, Foster is married to Teray M. Foster. The two tied the knot back in 1992. And like everything about his life, the couple’s entire love affair is still undisclosed.

Nonetheless, together they have three kids, Barry Foster Jr, Janea Foster, and Tamara M. Foster. The whole family lives in Dallas, Texas.

Further, Barry has a son, Shayne Foster, from another relationship. And yes, no information on that either. Also, the other facts about his other personal affairs are not available.

Barry Foster | Short-lived Football Career

Not all football players’ dream of playing in the NFL comes true. Even though Foster had a short NFL career, he is thankful for witnessing his dream come true.

College Career

The football enthusiast Foster went to the University of Arkansas, where he played for the Razorbacks as a fullback. Moreover, Barry wore #18 during his college career from 1987 to 1989.

During his time with the Razorbacks, he helped the Razorbacks win Southwest Conference Championships in 1988 and 1989.

After three years of college, Barry decided to skip his senior year. When asked later about this decision, Foster said that Hatfield, coach at that time, left, and he was not that positive about working with another coach Clemson.

Moreover, Barry also admitted that he had to skip college due to financial problems. However, Foster was optimistic about the 1990 NFL draft.

Foster, the high-spirited person, was sure of getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but he faced a greater disappointment. He did not get drafted by the Browns.

Instead, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Barry with the 19th pick of the 5th round in the 1990 NFL draft.

Also, read LaVar Arrington Bio: Family, Career, NFL & Net Worth >>

Barry with Pittsburgh Steelers

The fullback at that time, Barry was selected by Chuck Noll, one of the Steelers’ greatest head coaches. Barry said that Chuck Noll was one of the strictest and the most disciplined coaches who would make teamwork harder every day.

According to Barry, the real games were easier than practicing with Noll.

Barry started his first NFL season (1990) with a catastrophic blunder against the 49ers when he did not secure the kick he was supposed to. Not to mention, the same blunder led the Steelers to lose the game.

However, Barry improved his performance in the following seasons. In the 1991 season, Barry scored a 121-yard rushing game and a 56-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills, but soon after, he got injured and could not play five games.

Following that, in 1992, Foster came out scoring 1690 yards breaking many records. Barry was voted to the Pro-Bowl, the same year scored 11 touchdowns.

Again 1993 was a good year for Barry. He had 711 yards in 9 games and also made it to the Pro-Bowl. Yet, the year 1993 was not injury-free for Barry.

Injury

The year 1994 was also a limiting year for Barry. He played 11 games, scoring 851 yards. In September 1994, when the Steelers played against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored 179 yards, 31 carries, and one touchdown.

Barry got injured that season also, which gave way to a new running back, Bam Morris.
In the fourth season, in the 1994 AFC Championship, Barry played his last NFL game in a Steeler’s uniform against the San Diego Chargers.

Check out an Insta post from a Steelers fan.

Barry Foster
Barry Foster

In 1995, the Steelers traded Barry to the Carolina Panthers. Foster, the running back, admitted in one of his interviews that he was shocked and disappointed when he was let go from the Steelers.

After such disappointment, another bad event occurred when Barry did not pass a physical and could not play for the Panthers. Therefore, Barry decided to retire.

‘Foster is facing one of the worst losses for the Steelers in 1994.’

It was the 1994 AFC Championship when the Pittsburgh Steelers played against the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, the Steelers lost the game with 17-13.

Bill Cowher, a football player, coach, and analyst, remembers it clearly. Cowher described how the whole crowd went silent when Dennis Gipson knocked down the pass, Neil O’Donnell to Barry Foster.

Additionally, Bill said that he remembers that game because they were a defensive team.

He added when he met his daughter afterward; she told him why they did not pass the ball to Barry Foster, who could have gotten them more yards.

Bill also thought that his 8-years old daughter was right.

Check the link for detailed news: One of the worst losses for Steelers >>

Highlights

  • First-team All-Pro selection in 1992
  • Two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1992 and 1993

Career Stats and NFL Stats

Year GP Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
Career 62 915 3,943 4.3 69 26 93 804 8.6 42 2

Barry Foster | Retirement

After retiring in 1995, Barry came back and signed a contract worth $1 million with the Cincinnati Bengals. But just after two days, he gave up his contract with the Bengals.

Later Barry was released from the Cincinnati Bengals, but he returned the signing amount of $300,000. Finally, Barry retired the same year, announcing he is financially well-off to sustain.

Check a Tweet from one of his fans.

Though Foster had a short NFL career, his fans and followers still remember him.

Who is Chuck Noll?

Charles Henry Noll, famously known as Chuck Noll, was a former American football player and head coach.

Moreover, Chuck is known as one of the greatest head coaches who worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 23 years as a head coach.

Chuck Noll, an American football player and coach who selected Barry Foster in the 1990 NFL draft
Chuck Noll, an American football player and coach who selected Barry Foster in the 1990 NFL draft

Furthermore, Chuck played seven seasons for the Cleveland Browns. He served the team as a linebacker.

After retiring from his playing career, Noll started to work as an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers from 1960 to 1965.

Then he assisted the head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1965 to 1968. And finally, Chuck got selected as head coach for the Steelers.

Life After Retirement 

Despite four years of NFL, Barry did not get that many opportunities after retirement. Therefore, Barry decided to work with younger kids at DeLay Middle School as a running back coach.

Currently, Foster works as an Assistant Principal in Grand Prairie. And when he has time for himself, he plays golf.

You may also want to read: Jamal Agnew Bio: Family, College, Salary, Position & Social Media >>

Barry Foster | Net Worth 

The Steelers’ running back, Foster, had four years of the NFL career. He made most of his fortune playing football.

Later barry added more value to his net worth working as a coach and assisting at a school.

Barry Foster has an estimated worth of $1 million to $5 million.

Common Questions (FAQs)

When was Barry drafted in the NFL?

Barry was drafted in the NFL in 1990. Initially, he was expecting to be drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him.

Where is Foster now?

Foster currently lives in Dallas, Texas. He serves as an Assistant Principal at Grand Prairie High School.

What number did Barry wear for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Barry wore #29 when he played for the Steelers from 1990 to 1994. Currently, Kam Kelly is the #29 player for the Steelers.

At what age did Barry retire?

Barry was only 26 years old when he retired.

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

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