By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley, AFRO Sports Desk
Ex-San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid has a job in the NFL again. The Carolina Panthers signed Reid late last week, ending an offseason hiatus for the 26-year-old defensive back, who struggled to get contract offers after displaying open support for former teammate Colin Kaepernick in their much-criticized anthem protest over social issues. Reid, along with Kaepernick, filed grievances against the NFL, alleging that the league was blacklisting them due to their anthem protests. Kaepernick recently emerged as Nike’s new controversial spokesman and Reid just re-emerged as a football player once again. Will he continue his protests? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley, of the AFRO Sports Desk, debate.
In this Sept. 10, 2017, file photo, former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) kneels in front of teammates during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Santa Clara, Calif. The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent safety Eric Reid to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not announced Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Riley: I’ve been in situations where you have to juggle between your job or your personal feelings and it’s a tough choice. Reid has his own family to support. And, after what was probably an uneasy time not knowing if he would ever play again in the NFL, staying under the radar might be in his best interest as he returns to the league. Being an outlaw and earning notoriety is great but at what expense? Money is very real in America, and while kneeling may have earned Kaepernick and Reid much respect, it also put their wellbeing in jeopardy. I expect Reid to have a new take on his rebirth in the NFL.
Green: The same issues that Kaepernick and Reid were taking a stance on are ongoing in today’s society, so of course I expect him to still kneel and protest. The NFL and critics love to make a big deal over anthem protests and, even after several explanations and backings, people are still confused over the “why” behind their stances. Reid emerged as one of Kaepernick’s strongest allies and now the latter has, seemingly, entered legendary status because of his beliefs. For Reid to do anything other then kneel on anthems would be a great letdown for those that followed and supported. When you take the type of political stances that both men did, you can’t just revert back like everything is fine—because it isn’t.
Riley: There’s only one shot to play in the NFL, earn your money and establish your family’s branding and wealth. Whatever he decides to do, in another 20 years from now when Reid is sitting back in his chair looking at his family, he’s going to have to ask himself if he made the right decision. And when you are your family’s breadwinner, there’s a lot of pressure. I get the fact that both Reid and Kaepernick probably have established millions of supporters from their actions but at what cost? Being outlawed by the NFL and blackballed in society with millions of dollars on the line might not be worth it for these guys anymore. Most employers won’t let you protest on company property so I can somewhat understand where the NFL is coming from. Using the league as a showcase for your beliefs was always a risqué move, and it’s one that has done far too much damage to both men’s reputations. I expect Reid to play football, earn his money and select a new avenue to take if being social justice advocates is really important to them.
Green: So basically Reid just needs to ‘shut up and dribble,’ right? Just collect his check and salute? No way. Now’s the perfect time to go even harder. The country is worse off now than it was in 2016 when the anthem protests started, and just because the NFL so graciously allowed Reid back into its loving and wealthy arms, Reid should just take his slap on the wrist and play nice? That would be the most hypocritical thing to do. Hopefully, both Reid and Kaepernick finish what they started. People have been waiting to rally behind a cause or a figure and that’s what the two ex-49ers provided. Was their money compromised? Sure, but they knew that going into it. An NFL contract can set you up for life if you play it right, but life can’t be just about money. It’s bigger than that, and I hope Reid continues to break the rules for what he believes in.
