Former New Orleans Saints player Glenn Foster Jr. died in Alabama this week, shortly after being taken into custody by authorities.
UPDATE: Ex-Saint Glenn Foster died after a police chase, jail fight, and desperate bid to get medical help
Foster, 31, died Monday, according to an official at the Pickens County, Alabama, Medical Examiner & Coroner’s Office. The official said he couldn’t comment on Foster’s cause of death, or the location where he passed away, because the case remained under investigation.
Foster was in Pickens County’s jail the day before his death. There is no indication he was released from the jail's custody before he died.
The Sheriff’s Office which runs the jail referred questions to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, which didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Battered and beaten by water and wind, all but forgotten, the tower still stands in New Orleans East.
Many became aware of Foster’s death after a state lawmaker from Illinois, where he was born, posted a tribute on Twitter.
“No words right now. Rest Powerfully, Little Brother,” said Rep. Kam Buckner of the Illinois State House’s 26th District. “You left your mark everywhere you went. Glenn Foster, we love you bruh.”
Foster’s wife and parents said Tuesday that the family was preparing a statement.
Pickens County jail records show authorities there booked Foster early Saturday morning on counts of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and attempting to elude police. He was rebooked Sunday on counts of simple assault and robbery.
Foster joined the Saints and the NFL in 2013 as an undrafted rookie coming out of the University of Illinois. During New Orleans' preseason campaign that year, he led the team in quarterback sacks with four and QB hits with five while adding a forced fumble to earn a spot on the team for the regular season.
Foster stood out at moments in his rookie year, recording three sacks in 12 games, as the Saints won 12 of their 18 games that season, including the franchise's first-ever playoff victory while away at an opponent's stadium. He was injured partway through the 2014 season — the first of three consecutive, frustrating 7-9 campaigns for the Saints — and only appeared in five games.
The Saints cut Foster prior to the 2015 campaign.
Foster remained in southeast Louisiana following his playing career, working as a contractor, developer and real estate agent. He owned a granite countertop business with retail stores on Magazine Street in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
"I really can't find the words to properly express," Foster's former Saints teammate Terron Armstead said on Twitter on Tuesday. "You'll be missed bro."