Carolina Panthers Sign Safety Eric Reid

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NFL 

Pro Bowl Safety Eric Reid Is Finally Signed

The Carolina Panthers and Eric Reid have signed a one-year deal. Reid has been out of work since last season ended. The former Pro Bowl safety couldn’t land a job anywhere during the offseason. This was despite him being a healthy 26-year old.

A collusion grievance was filed against the NFL due to this very fact. If you’re not familiar with the significance of this situation, allow me to brief you.

Kneel-Gate

By now, I’m sure that we’re all aware of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem. It was a silent protest against the social injustices suffered by people of color in regards to the police and the judicial system in this country.

It’s a decision that has left him without an NFL job for the past two years. It is widely assumed that the league has made sure that he hasn’t landed with a franchise yet. This is the same thinking that led to Eric Reid filing his grievance against the league.

Eric Reid joined Kaepernick in his protest. Of course, this didn’t sit well with NFL purists who felt that it took away from the game. Others took to the extreme that players were disrespecting the flag or our military personnel. President Trump has even been outspoken on the matter. We can get into that another day.

Players such as Reid and Kaepernick have consistently stated that the protest is in no way a slight to the military. They just want to shed light on issues that are very serious in this country. They have a platform, and they want to utilize it the best way they can.

Collusion?

Some might say that the 49ers were looking for a reason to part ways with Reid due to his protest. Eric suffered an injury to his knee last season that kept him out of action for three weeks.

His replacement, Jaquiski Tartt, kept the position after Reid’s return. Reid became more of a linebacker/safety when LB Navorro Bowman was granted his release from the team. Eric was eventually placed back in his strong safety position after free safety Jimmie Ward fractured his forearm. They moved Tartt to the free safety position as a result.

The idea that the 49ers didn’t keep Reid due to his protests is purely speculation. None of that has been proven, but it seems that they weren’t too interested in placing him back in his original position.

Reid’s Impact

Eric Reid has 318 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and ten interceptions in his five seasons. He had 62 total tackles and four interceptions his rookie season. Those are impressive numbers considering he’s missed ten games out of a total of 80 he could have played due to injury.

The Carolina Panthers will certainly welcome a defensive talent such as his to their secondary. He will be much needed in a quarterback-rich NFC South division.

Social Impact

The NFL social universe has undoubtedly erupted with this news. People of color are saluting Reid for taking his stance and in their eyes, coming out on top. I’m sure that he is more than excited to get back onto the field and make a difference. Could this also mean a possible return for Kaepernick? One never knows.

Photo Credit

Featured Image courtesy of Officialize

 

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