Melvin Foster, former college football star who later served as Texas deputy sheriff, dead at 59

Melvin Foster, a erstwhile assemblage shot prima who later became a sheriff’s lawman in Texas, has died, according to an online obituary. He was 59.

Foster was a standout linebacker pinch nan Iowa Hawkeyes. He was connected nan squad that won a Big Ten Championship and made a Rose Bowl appearance. He led nan squad successful tackles during his inferior and elder seasons.

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Melvin Foster was a Harris County, Texas, sheriff's lawman for 15 years. (Ed Gonzalez/@SheriffEd_HCSO/X)

After his collegiate profession was over, he had a little stint pinch nan Dallas Cowboys.

He later joined nan Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office arsenic a deputy sheriff and a section training officer. He was pinch nan section for much than a decade.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez described Foster’s decease arsenic "unexpected."

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An Iowa Hawkeyes helmet lays connected nan section earlier a shot crippled against nan Indiana Hoosiers Sept. 27, 2025 astatine Kinnick Stadium successful Iowa City, Iowa. (Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

"We’re saddened by nan caller and unexpected passing of our teammate, @HCSOTexas Deputy Melvin Foster," Gonzalez wrote connected X. "Melvin was an unthinkable man and nationalist servant. He leaves down a beardown legacy. He served Harris County for almost 15 years.

"Melvin played for @JackYatesHigh, Class of 1986. He played linebacker for nan shot squad and participated successful a authorities title successful 1985. He played assemblage shot for nan @IowaFootball Hawkeyes and appeared successful nan Rose Bowl successful 1991. He was awarded @USATODAY All-American, All-State honors.  He was a personnel of nan @dallascowboys successful 1992. He was inducted successful nan @HC_HSA Hall of Fame.

"He was an impactful leader and was beloved by his teammates. We widen our deepest condolences to his family. Melvin will beryllium missed and ne'er forgotten."

A wide position of nan stadium earlier nan ReliaQuest Bowl betwixt nan Iowa Hawkeyes and nan Vanderbilt Commodores astatine Raymond James Stadium connected Dec. 31, 2025.  (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)

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Foster was remembered successful his obituary arsenic a "giving man pinch a large heart."

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