The family of Glenn Foster Jr., a former defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging that his death was violent and entirely avoidable. The lawsuit claims that Foster, 31, was excessively Tased, beaten, and stripped naked while strapped to a chair following his arrest for speeding in Alabama. Foster died on December 6, 2021, three days after his arrest.
The lawsuit details that Foster was pulled over for a traffic violation, during which he was wrestled to the ground by law enforcement, causing him to hit his head on concrete. The alleged physical abuse continued at the Pickens County Jail. Foster’s mother, Sabrina Foster, expressed her grief and frustration at a news conference, questioning the actions of the law enforcement officers involved.
The family’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, stated that Foster was subdued and handcuffed, posing no threat to the officers. He emphasized the need for answers and justice for Foster and his grieving family. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Alabama, accuses Pickens County, the Sheriff’s Office, the former Sheriff, deputies, a jail administrator, and jailers of wrongful death, excessive force, and negligence. It seeks over $75,000 in damages.
The lawsuit provides a detailed account of the events leading up to Foster’s death, alleging that the defendants’ excessive and barbaric use of force violated Foster’s civil rights. On December 3, 2021, Foster was arrested in Gordo, Alabama, for allegedly driving recklessly. A high-speed chase ensued, ending when officers deployed spike strips to flatten his tires.
The lawsuit further alleges that despite medical personnel advising a mental health and wellness check for Foster, law enforcement refused and took him to the Pickens County Jail. His family had expressed concerns about his mental health and requested that he be transferred to a psychiatric ward for evaluation. However, Foster was rebooked on new charges and was not released.
The lawsuit claims that Foster was subjected to 24 hours of “torture” in jail, including excessive Tasing, choking, and being put in headlocks while restrained. He lost consciousness at one point and died while being transferred to a hospital for a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. The lawsuit alleges that Foster’s injuries from being forced into the transport vehicle contributed to his death.
The lawsuit concludes by stating that the defendant’s conduct was extreme and outrageous, exceeding all bounds of decency and intolerable in a civilized society. Foster’s father revealed that the former NFL player had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and may have been experiencing a manic episode at the time of his arrest.