From Undrafted to Undeniable: How Ramon Foster Mastered His Mindset
An athlete's true greatness isn't always found on the stat sheet.
For Ramon Foster, a celebrated career in the National Football League (NFL) was built not only on physical strength, but also on the unyielding foundation of his coachability, communication, character, composure, and leadership.
When Ramon chatted with TeamQ CEO Christopher Spencer on the Intangible Podcast, Foster shared his journey, revealing how these Intangibles were the ultimate drivers of going from a 3-sport high school standout for Ripley High School (TN), to All-SEC lineman at the University of Tennessee to an undrafted rookie to an 11 year career in the NFL.
“You never know how your career is going to go and what pitfalls you’re going to have or what conversations you’re going to have to be able to articulate through education.”
TeamQ provides athletes, coaches, recruiters and others with reporting that provides information about an individual’s mental makeup. We focus on the intangible qualities such as composure, leadership, coachability, communication and character.
In this blog post, we will discuss how Ramon exemplifies each of the following:
Character: Ramon Foster's character, shaped by a demanding teacher and his commitment to graduating from college, taught him that a person's worth is more than their athletic ability.
Composure: He demonstrated remarkable composure by handling significant setbacks, including a difficult NFL combine and not being drafted, by quickly refocusing on what truly mattered to him—his family.
Coachability: Foster's coachability was highlighted by his willingness to learn from a veteran teammate, take ownership of his mistakes, and develop his work ethic to earn a starting position.
Leadership and Communication: His leadership style, which was learned from his teammates, focused on elevating others. He also emphasized the importance of being able to communicate and have conversations as a vital skill for success both on and off the field.
Character: The Foundation of Success
Ramon Foster's journey is a powerful testament to the importance of character. He recalls a pivotal moment in high school when his trigonometry teacher, knowing he was a star athlete, confronted him about his barely passing grade on a test.
Although he was initially angry, he now views the interaction as a defining moment. "She made me so mad, but to this day, I've never forgotten that story," Foster said, because it made him realize that "life is so much longer" than football and that he was "more than just a football player".
This realization solidified his belief that a person's worth extends beyond the field.
This interaction, as Ramon states, gave him a life lesson: "You never know how your career is going to go and what pitfalls you're going to have or what conversations you're going to have to be able to articulate through education.”
For Foster, success was not just about the game; it was about honoring his roots, family, and education.
Composure: Navigating Setbacks and Pressure
Foster's path to the NFL was anything but smooth, and his ability to maintain composure in the face of adversity proved to be a critical intangible asset.
His NFL combine experience was a "bad day," to say the least. During his 40-yard dash, he got a nosebleed and his head was tilted back, causing him to slow down. Furthermore, the day before his Pro Day, which was his chance to redeem himself, he came down with a 101-degree fever and could not participate in any of the drills.
He was left to watch from the sidelines.
After the draft ended and his name was not called. Foster recalled holding his son and crying for the first time, seeing his NFL dreams and aspirations, as he states, "shattered".
However, this moment of vulnerability quickly turned into resolve.
"I got to figure this out," he thought, and in that moment, he pivoted to focus on caring for his child and wife. This capacity to face disappointment and immediately shift focus to what matters most is the very essence of composure under pressure.
Coachability: The Relentless Pursuit of Growth
In an era where many athletes are accustomed to being coddled, Foster learned early on what it meant to be truly coachable.
He recounts a story from his redshirt freshman year in college where his coach, frustrated with a mistake, made him run laps around the entire facility. His teammate, Paris Harrison, a veteran, simply asked him, "How many [laps] he tell you to run?"
Ramon Foster was a starting Left Tackle for The University of Tennessee
When Foster said the coach didn't give him a number, Harrison advised him to ask the coach when to stop. It was a simple but effective lesson in taking ownership and communicating with a coach.
Another key component of Foster's coachability was his work ethic.
He notes how he learned what it took to "get over the hump" by watching his peers, including his roommate Jerod Mayo, who was a first-round draft pick.
Foster learned that he had to go "snatch it" himself, earning the "most improved" award two years in a row and a starter position in his junior year. His ability to be influenced and to learn from those around him shows he was never satisfied with being stagnant.
Leadership and Communication: Guiding the Way
Ramon Foster's understanding of leadership is deeply rooted in his relationships. He emphasizes the importance of the company you keep, citing his college roommates and their shared commitment to success.
One of his closest friends and teammates, Paris Harrison, was a "total package" who pulled "the best out of his teammates on the defensive side of the ball". Foster learned from Harrison's example, understanding that true leadership is about elevating others.
Ramon Foster played for 11 seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and started at left guard for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in 2010.
Foster believes that communication is a crucial, yet often overlooked, intangible quality for young athletes.
The ability to "have a conversation and hold a conversation" is what ultimately helps athletes transition beyond sports.
The entire conversation between Christopher and Ramon is a testament to this belief, as Foster eloquently articulates complex thoughts and lessons from his life.
His final piece of advice for young people seeking success is to ask questions, lean on others, and not be afraid to admit what you don't know. This openness and willingness to be vulnerable is a rare and powerful form of leadership.
At TeamQ, we believe in providing comprehensive support and insights to help you navigate life's challenges and triumphs. Explore our curated resources designed to inspire, educate, and connect:
TeamQ Blog: Dive deeper into stories of resilience, expert advice, and the latest research. www.teamq.io/blog
More from The Intangible Podcast: Connect with other professional athletes, coaches, and experts to discuss the strategies, mindset shifts, and intangible qualities that elevate mental performance. https://www.youtube.com/@IntangiblePod
Learn More From Our CEO, Chris Spencer: Teaming up with experts in tech and psychology, Chris pioneered Performance Intelligence and founded TeamQ to help athletes and teams harness the intangibles to win on and off the field. https://www.teamq.io/ourfounder
Sign-Up for TeamQ: Our human-powered, AI-assisted process analyzes each athlete’s own words—gathered from interviews, transcripts, or direct conversations—to reveal the mental edge that separates the good from the great. Sign-Up For a Demo Here.
