Former Crest standout leaves football after missing entire 2020 college season following COVID-19 diagnosis

By Richard Walker

Former Crest High standout Justin Foster announced his retirement from college football on Wednesday.

Foster, a senior, wrote this in a statement on twitter: “The decision came after months of recovery and treatment, which required asking a lot of difficult questions about my future. While I still have a way to go, I feel confident I will fully recover. Today is a new chapter filled with many emotions. I have great pride and gratitude as I reflect on my experiences … and excitement and confidence for my future.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said on Wednesday Foster struggled since testing positive for COVID-19 in August 2020.

“He had a very tough fall,” Swinney said of Foster. “He’s always had challenges with (asthma and allergies) but when he got COVID last summer, that really set him back.”

A 2017 Crest High graduate where he was a member of the Chargers’ 2014 and 2015 state championship teams and a 2016 N.C. Shrine Bowl selection, Foster helped Clemson to a 41-3 record from 2017 to 2019 that included three ACC titles, three CFP appearances, one national title and one national runner-up finish.

Projected to be a 2020 starter, Foster didn’t play in a single game after recording 59 tackles (17 1-2 for losses), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 38 games.