Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Stills: Reid’s signing may pave way for Kaepernick return
DAVIE – Now that Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid is back in the NFL, Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills believes it could be a matter of time before Colin Kaepernick is back in the league as well.
Stills – one of two NFL players protesting brutality and social injustice during the National Anthem this season – said Thursday he was “definitely surprised” Reid came to an agreement with the Panthers this season.
Reid, the first player to kneel alongside Kaepernick during their time with the 49ers, filed a collusion grievance against the NFL after not receiving interest from teams during free agency this offseason.
“I’m just happy for him, excited to see him get out on the field and be the impact player that we know he is,” Stills said of Reid. “Obviously, I feel like he should have signed first day of free agency so it’s a long time coming. But I’m excited for him, and can’t wait to see him ball.”
Added Kaepernick from his Twitter account: “Congrats 2 my brother @e_reid35, all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract. He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family, and communities in need.”
Stills and Dolphins receiver Albert Wilson have earned weekly praise on social media from Kaepernick for being the only players in the NFL to kneel during the National Anthem before each game this season.
When asked if Reid’s signing could open the door for an NFL team signing Kaepernick, Stills said: “I guess you can say that, but we’ll see.”
Stills said he had a conversation with Kaepernick on Thursday where Kaepernick told him, “I’m ready to go.”
Kaepernick, who has filed a similar grievance with the NFL, last appeared in a NFL game in 2016.
“He wants to play,” Stills said of Kaepernick. “He’s good enough to play, obviously. He deserves to play. I don’t see what a team hasn’t signed him or won’t sign him.”