Clemson DE Justin Foster retires due to asthma, COVID-19 complications

"The decision came after months of recovery and treatment, which required asking a lot of difficult questions about my future," Foster wrote in the statement shared on social media. "While I still have a way to go, I feel confident I will fully recover." 

Foster recorded seven sacks and 60 tackles across his three years at Clemson and, as David M. Hale explained for ESPN, was set to be a starter last fall until he tested positive for the coronavirus in August. Instead, Foster couldn't get cleared to return to the field and is now hanging his cleats up on his terms. 

"I tried to talk him out of it," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters, per Joshua Needelman of The Post and Courier. "He really could play at the next level. I don’t think there’s any question about it." 

Per Swinney, Foster found a job opportunity away from football after graduating in December and earning a degree in Construction Science & Management. 

"He put a lot of thought into it, talked with his family for a long time, weighed everything," Swinney said. "Have to respect that and wish him well." 

Swinney added: "He had a very tough fall. He's always had challenges with [asthma and allergies], but when he got COVID last summer, that really set him back." 

Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney, Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and members of the Washington Wizards are among known American athletes hit hard by lingering issues caused by COVID-19 infections over the past year.