Reid signs with Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. » Eric Reid is getting another shot in the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers on Thursday have signed the free agent safety to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not announced.
Reid filed an official grievance letter with the NFL in October of 2017, alleging that team owners and the league colluded to prevent his employment due to his protest activities. Reid, along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, participated in protests during the playing of the national anthem before NFL games to highlight social awareness and racial injustice.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said he wasn’t concerned about Reid’s past protests, telling The Associated Press it was a “football decision” — and one that was approved by new owner David Tepper.
“Every decision we make we communicate with” Tepper, Hurney said.
Tepper bought the team from Jerry Richardson this past summer.
“Everybody we sign we ask if he has the skill set and if he helps us win football games — and we feel the answer is yes,” Hurney said of Reid.
Kaepernick has offered congratulations on Twitter to his former teammate, saying Reid is a “social justice warrior (who) continues to support his family and communities in need.” He said Reid was the first person who knelt alongside him for the national anthem, which was done to highlight racial and social injustice.
Kaepernick added that Reid is an “all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency.”
It’s unclear if Reid plans to continue his protests when he begins playing for the Panthers, though he said in March he doesn’t plan to protest during the national anthem this season.