Former Hawkeye Melvin Foster Passes

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Former University of Iowa football standout Melvin Foster passed away last weekend in Houston. He was 59.

Foster was a four-year linebacker from 1987-90. He led Iowa in tackles as a junior (116) and senior (107). Foster’s 337 career tackles rank 15th in program history, while his 116 tackles in 1989 ties for 39th-best in a single season. Foster is one of 19 Hawkeyes to be credited with 20 or more tackles in a single game when he made 20 stops and intercepted a pass that led to Iowa’s game-winning touchdown against Michigan State in 1990. 

The Houston native helped lead the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten Championship in 1990 and a berth in the Rose Bowl. He was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree and shared team MVP honors following the 1990 season.

Prior to becoming a Hawkeye, Foster made 26 tackles – 19 in the first half – for victorious Yates High School in the 1985 Texas state championship game.

Foster went on to play professionally for the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. His football legacy was honored by induction into the 2021 first inaugural class of the Houston ISD Hall of Honors.

Foster served as a Harris County Deputy Sheriffs Officer and Field Training Officer for 15 years, earning the respect of his colleagues for his professionalism and motivation. His dedication to public service left a lasting impact on the community and deputies he trained.