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ALABAMA — Kicker Cade Foster received death threats after some fans blamed him for the University of Alabama's last second loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
The loss cost the team a chance at a national title, but amid negative feedback a note of encouragement came from a potentially surprising source — former president George W. Bush. The letter (shown below) was handwritten on Bush's personal letterhead and dated Dec. 3.
"Dear Cade (#43)," the letter reads. "Life has its setbacks. I know! However, you will be a stronger human with time. I wish you all the best. Sincerely, another 43, George W. Bush."
Bush was the 43rd president of the United States, serving from 2001 to 2009.
Foster shared a picture of the letter on Dec. 11 on Twitter and Instagram with the comment "framing this." The letter has since gained popularity with more than 4,000 retweets and favorites on Twitter as of Friday afternoon.
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Davis' return lifts Auburn past Bama, 34-28
That crazy tipped pass for a long game-winning touchdown is now the second-most stunning and improbable play of Auburn's wild season.Foster missed two field goals and was blocked on a fourth before being replaced with another kicker during the game on Nov. 30. The replacement kicker missed a field goal in the last seconds of the game, resulting in a 100-yard touchdown return for Auburn to win the game 34-28.
After the game, people tweeted things at Foster like "drink bleach" and "Cade Foster I'm gonna kill you and your family just FYI," according to Bleacher Report.
This isn't the first time Bush has reached out to express sympathy to an athlete and he isn't the only former president to have done so, according to ESPN. Bill Clinton wrote letter to Michigan's Chris Webber after he called a timeout in a 1993 NCAA championship basketball game when they didn't have any timeouts remaining. Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and current President Barack Obama have also written similar letters.
Dear Cade (#43), life has it's setbacks. I know! However, you will be stronger with time..Sincerely- George Bush pic.twitter.com/jesykfKpDx — Cade Foster (@Foster_43) December 11, 2013
