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Just got an official announcement from the pacers that Jeff has retired. I think the hope had been to limp through the season without him but to use him in the playoffs.

I lost my network connection before I could post the same:

I just got an email that Foster retired.

After 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Indiana Pacers, forward/center Jeff Foster announced his retirement today due to chronic back problems.

Read the complete news release

"It's with deep regret that I have to conclude my basketball career," said Foster. "I've given my all to the Pacers and the community the last 13 years. I had hoped to be able to finish the season, but unfortunately my back problems prevented that from occurring. I want to thank the Simon family and the Pacers' organization for 13 memorable years."

the full release is at

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-jeff-foster-announces-retirement

Dang, I wonder if he moves into the front office. Literally.

Whatever he does, good luck to him. Sucks to see him have to leave like this though.

Jeff Foster has like 50 million in the bank thanks to good investments. One of my favorite all-time Pacers and a great guy.

I hate to see Foster retire but with all of the back problems he has had, this is the right decision for him and the team.

Hopefully he will wind up in the Pacers front office.

Couldn't he announce this a week earlier? **** ****.

Just kidding. Great player and great person (as far as I can tell). I will miss him.

End of an era. Jeff is an absolute statesman. His play in the playoffs last year was a particular highlight for me.

A highly popular player for his on-court hustle, he ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in eight statistical categories.

Would've been good to send him out with a playoff series win or two, but thats the NBA.

End of an era. One of my favorites, mostly due to the fact that he was such a flawed player, but that he worked his butt off to contribute in any way he could. Definitely old school.

Definitely won't forget just how much Bulls fans hated him during the playoff series even just last year. Telling of how productive he could be in even just a few minutes. Sorry it had to happen like this, but it's definitely fitting that he would hang it up when he knew he just couldn't do it anymore.

I'm really disappointed that WireTap doesn't consider this worthy of an announcement.

We will miss Jeff I love it when a player sticks with the same team for his whole career. He was not a great player but a great teammate and his nickname Fiesty fit him perfectly. All I can say is too soon and good luck to him!

Quite sad, because all this time i'm really thinking we are just resting him for the playoffs.
Great guy, an ultimate professional, and one of the smartest players on and off the court.
I really do hope if he's not too busy with his business, he could be a part of the Pacers' front office.

I see Jeff never touching another basketball in his life, and becoming a billionaire.

Jeff Foster.....Australian for Rebound.

Moooose wrote:Quite sad, because all this time i'm really thinking we are just resting him for the playoffs.

we were but when he re-injured it the Star quotes him as saying that the Doctors told him that further damage might not be surgically repairable and that was a risk he didn't want to take.

Pacersike wrote:Couldn't he announce this a week earlier? **** ****.

Kind of what I was thinking. I like him but this kind of pisses me off. The Pacers were loyal in letting him come back with all of his injuries and he basically screws us over. Unless we somehow end up with Kaman, we're probably not doing anything in the playoffs. We needed Foster's height and rebounding. It's stupid he left us with no options to replace him immediately following the trade deadline. We now only have one big taller than 6'9 and our SG is the the second tallest player on the roster. At least Solomon Jones is available... Thanks Jeff

Retired Jeff Foster >>> Point guard than Darren Collison.

frizzledizzle wrote:The Pacers were loyal in letting him come back with all of his injuries and he basically screws us over...Thanks Jeff

Here's the deal: when a quality guy like Foster retires, it is customary to thank him for his time, not accuse him of screwing us over. That's what the occasion calls for.

Gremz wrote:Jeff Foster.....Australian for Rebound.

Now that's more like it. Classic post, for anyone old enough to remember the "Foster's...Australian for beer" commercials. I'm assuming that excludes a few people on this board.

Rock on, Feisty One. Tonight I lift a few "Australians" in tribute to your hustle plays, offensive rebounds, and gift for pissing off fans of opposing teams.

mizzoupacers wrote:

frizzledizzle wrote:The Pacers were loyal in letting him come back with all of his injuries and he basically screws us over...Thanks Jeff

Here's the deal: when a quality guy like Foster retires, it is customary to thank him for his time, not accuse him of screwing us over. That's what the occasion calls for.

Gremz wrote:Jeff Foster.....Australian for Rebound.

Now that's more like it. Classic post, for anyone old enough to remember the "Foster's...Australian for beer" commercials. I'm assuming that excludes a few people on this board.

I'm probably the youngest person on this board and I remember them.

You are wise beyond your years...oh wait, aren't you the dude who's always complaining about Collison?