Colin Kaepernick ally, and fellow anthem-kneeler, Eric Reid lands NFL deal with Carolina Panthers
ONE of the faces of the controversial anthem kneeling which has divided the NFL is out of exile, having landed a one-year lifeline with the Carolina Panthers.
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THE Carolina Panthers signed Eric Reid on a one-year deal on Thursday, offering a route back into the sport for the former San Francisco 49ers safety who was the most prominent supporter of ex-teammate Colin Kaepernick’s protests.
Reid has been an unsigned free agent since being released by the 49ers earlier this year.
In May, Reid filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming he was being frozen out of the league over his support for Kaepernick’s kneeling protests.
Kaepernick, who has not played in the NFL since 2017, has also alleged he has been blacklisted over his protests against racial and social injustice.
The Panthers, however, snapped up Reid, 26, after an injury to starting safety Da’Norris Searcy.
“After we put Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve, (head coach) Ron (Rivera) and I discussed our options, and Eric was at the top of our list,” general manager Marty Hurney said in a statement. “He is a physical safety with good ball skills and play-making ability.
“I definitely think he helps improve us as a football team and in the secondary. That’s why we made the move,” Hurney added.
Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith, an outspoken supporter of activist players, backed the move on Twitter.
“There is never a wrong time to do the right thing,” Smith wrote.
Smith later said Reid’s return to the game was overdue.
“I’m excited. It shouldn’t have taken this long, a person with his talent,” Smith said.
“We all understand the reason why. This says a lot about the men & the leaders here. They’re making a football decision, but Eric is also a great man & leader.” The role of new Panthers owner David Tepper has also been cited as a key influence in the signing.
Tepper, a hedge fund billionaire, bought the Panthers after former owner Jerry Richardson relinquished control following an NFL-led investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct against him.
Tepper has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, who has relentlessly attacked protesting players, describing the US leader as a “demented narcissist”.
Originally published as Colin Kaepernick ally, and fellow anthem-kneeler, Eric Reid lands NFL deal with Carolina Panthers
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