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20252026NFLPre-Season Week 3

25-Year-Old Substitute Teacher Makes The Seattle Seahawks’ 53-Man Roster As Wide Receiver

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Seattle Seahawks sign a Ohio substitute teacher.
Seattle Seahawks helmet (Photo via Imagn Images)

Football fans have closely followed the journey of ‘Hard Knocks’ star Montorie Foster Jr. He played as a wide receiver for Michigan State from 2020 to 2024. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old was undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

But instead of chasing his dream of playing professionally full-time, he returned to his home state of Ohio to pursue another dream: becoming a real estate broker. He also worked as a part-time substitute teacher.

While others get plenty of chances to make the cut in the NFL, Foster’s path was uncertain. 

Seahawks Include Montorie Foster Jr. In Their Final 53

Montorie Foster Jr. makes the Seahawks final 53.
Montorie Foster Jr. (Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

As the rest of the league was finalizing their lineup for the upcoming season, all of Montorie Foster Jr’s hard work has finally paid off. The defending champs saw potential in the speedy youngster and officially added him to their 53-man roster.

“Foster, 25, went from an undrafted rookie whose first NFL opportunity ended because of injury, to substitute teaching and selling real estate, to becoming one of the players viewers have gotten to know on Hard Knocks,” a post on X read.

That’s an amazing feat from somebody who took an unconventional path to the NFL. His parents, who were frequently shown on ‘Hard Knocks’, are no doubt over the moon with this news. 

Foster Will Have Stiff Competition In Seahawks WR Depth

Seahawks have star WRs in the team.
Dec 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Getting into the top 53 is one thing. Staying there for an entire season is another story. The Seahawks are the defending champs. That means that their wide receiver depth is, in fact, really deep.

Montorie Foster Jr. will face competition with the likes of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp. Insurmountable odds, yes, but he’s not the one to back out, especially now that he’s been given a chance. 

A slew of injuries have befallen Seattle in recent weeks. Maybe this substitute teacher from Ohio can be given more chances to show his worth.

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