Ex-49er might not kneel, but Reid’s protest to go on
Eric Reid isn’t planning to give up his fight against racial injustice in America or his fight with the NFL.
He just doesn’t know if his protests will include kneeling for the national anthem. Reid, who signed a one-year contract last week with Carolina, said Monday he is “still considering other ways” to protest and continue to raise awareness.
The 2013 Pro Bowl safety did not elaborate, but did say he will not drop his grievance against the NFL that alleges teams colluded to keep him out of the league because he protested alongside Colin Kaepernick.
“Nothing will ever change unless you talk about it. So we’re going to continue to talk about it,” Reid said. “We’re going to continue to hold America to the standards that it says on paper — that we’re all created equal. Because it’s not that way right now.”
Reid said the Panthers didn’t ask him about his protest plans until after he signed. He has spoken with members of the Panthers’ organization about his views on racial injustice. He said he is “still evaluating the scope of our country and will make that decision later.”
Carolina head coach Ron Rivera reiterated signing Reid was a “football decision.”
Rivera, who was raised in a military family, expressed his views on standing for the anthem in September 2017, telling his players “if we’re all going to be united, we need to stand, look at the flag, be at attention, our left hand down at our side and right hand at our heart . ... We need to think and envision an America that we believe in that is free from injustice, free from bigotry and free from prejudice.”
Rivera spoke with Reid and said, “I think he has a feel for us and we feel pretty good about it.”
Reid said he was surprised when the Panthers called last week, saying he thought it would take much longer to get a second chance at the NFL.
Reid said the 49ers also offered him a contract last week, but the Panthers’ offer was better.
Carolina hosts the Giants on Sunday. Reid is expected to start.
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