Free agent NFL player Eric Reid is learning real quick that there are consequences for one’s action… particularly when you become a lightning rod for controversy.
Reid is also proving that he’s not eager to follow the path of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who he teamed with as members of the San Francisco 49ers — not only on the field, but on the sidelines.
Reid was quick to kneel alongside Kaepernick when he began his show of disrespect for the national anthem to protest alleged racism and police brutality, and continued the practice after Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers and no team picked him up, rendering him an ex-player.
But that was when Reid had a secure paycheck.
As a free agent, the player has not received a single contract offer after being on the market for more than a week, ESPN reported, “despite a record of strong play on the field and versatility that many teams usually covet.”
Reid told the left-of-center sports network this week he will no longer kneel during the national anthem.
“I’m not saying I’m going to stop being active because I won’t,” he insisted. “I’m just going to consider different ways to be active — different ways to bring awareness to the issues of this country and improve on the issues happening in this country.”
Just in a little quieter fashion.
“I don’t think it will be in the form of protesting during the anthem,” Reid added. “I say ‘during’ because it’s crazy that the narrative changed to we were ‘protesting the anthem,’ and that wasn’t the case.”
While Reid says he stands by his actions, at the end of the day he wants to get paid. And he doesn’t think his radical political activism should be a deterrent.
“The notion that I can be a great signing for your team for cheap, not because of my skill set but because I’ve protested systemic oppression, is ludicrous. If you think is, then your mindset is part of the problem too,” Reid tweeted last week.
The notion that I can be a great signing for your team for cheap, not because of my skill set but because I’ve protested systemic oppression, is ludicrous. If you think is, then your mindset is part of the problem too.
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) March 15, 2018
Of course, Kaepernick probably felt the same way and we saw how that worked out for him. After all, why would an NFL owner want to sign a player who’s likely going to offend and alienate a large portion of their fan base.
The news didn’t play out too well for Reid online, with one social media user noting, “He went from kneeling on one knee to both.”
He went from kneeling on one knee to both.
— Hawk (@mellowhawk) March 22, 2018
Here’s a sampling of other reactions from Twitter:
He and Kaepernick can watch the game together!
— Edward Miller (@Nosoupforuoneyr) March 23, 2018
I guess whatever he was protesting for wasn’t that important to him after all. Looks like he just wanted attention and street cred until it hurt his wallet.
— Luke Newman (@Luke_Newman) March 23, 2018
🤣 Going once, going twice, going… https://t.co/JO6lInKX3x
— Bea ✝️ 🇺🇲 🎸🤘🏻 (@TheBeaSmith) March 23, 2018
Why even protest if you’re gonna sell out in the end
— jack8807 (@vvalther88) March 23, 2018
He caved. No surprise there.
— Chevas (@regalchevas) March 23, 2018
Smart move. He who kneels will be out of the league. Owners lost a BOAT LOAD of money last year due to the kneeling. It’s all about the Benjamin’s
— J.T. Eddy ? (@LegendFryingpan) March 23, 2018
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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