Kyle O’Quinn earns nomination for the Spirit of Jeff Foster Award

Kyle O’Quinn earns a nomination for the Spirit of Jeff FosteXr Award after his hustle play in the Indiana Pacers win over the Washington Wizards.

The spirit of Jeff Foster lives in all of us. It was clear that his spirit was in Kyle O’Quinn on Saturday when the current Indiana Pacers center dove out of bounds — and took a seat — to save a loose ball and give the Pacers another chance to score.

Wesley Matthews rewarded O’Quinn’s effort and determination by knocking down a 3-pointer, which led to a timeout from the Washington Wizards.

It was O’Quinn’s hustle that gave the Indiana Pacers another opportunity to score on a play where many would have watched the ball bounce away. No one would have judged him for it as it was all but too far away to retrieve.

But that’s not what O’Quinn did. It isn’t what Jeff Foster would have done, either.

The Spirit of Jeff Foster Award

The season is far from over, but this play might end up earning my Spirit of Jeff Foster Award.

What’s the SoJFA? It’s for a play or player that epitomizes the ideals of retired Indiana Pacers folk hero Jeff Foster. It’s for when someone does the dirty work needed to win games.

Michael Smith of ESPN’s 2005 article on the man himself asked who Jeff Foster was, and Smith was given responses like this:

"“One of the hardest working guys in this league,” Stephen Jackson said. “He’s a guy that doesn’t quit, and he’s the ultimate professional. When he’s not playing, he’s the first guy up cheering and when he does play, he goes out and gives 110 percent.Every team in the league needs a Jeff Foster, and it shows in what he did tonight.” Dale Davis described Foster as, “A great competitor, a great hustle guy.”“He’s paid to do all the little things and dirty things,” Reggie Miller said. “Tonight he was at his nastiest and dirtiest.”“That’s ‘Shystie,’ ” Jamaal Tinsley said. “That’s our dirty man.”"

That play by O’Quinn certainly embodies that. The fact it was an offensive rebound — Foster was one of the best offensive rebounders in NBA history — makes the play even more emblematic of Foster’s legacy.

What other plays from this season are worthy of being nominated? Let us know on Twitter with the hashtag #SpiritOfJeffFoster.

The Spirit of Jeff Foster lives in all of is, but it’s only on plays where you selflessly hustle for the ball — particularly for an offensive rebound — that it truly shines through.