49ers' Reid says anthem protests went 'sideways'

Eric Reid knelt for the national anthem last season alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but the San Francisco 49ers safety isn't happy with how the protests turned out.

"I think for me, the anthem thing went so sideways - it kills me that it went the way it went because that's not how we intended it to be," Reid said Monday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "You guys know what we were trying to get accomplished with that, but I think for me personally, (I'll) just keep talking about it, whether that's social media or you guys talking to me or whatever events I can make it out to during the season just to keep raising awareness on different topics to hopefully make that change that we're talking about."

The 25-year-old added he isn't planning to kneel for the anthem this season and no one on the 49ers knelt during the first preseason game Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

When it comes to Kaepernick, Reid doesn't understand why the signal-caller doesn't have a contract and feels he shouldn't have to make his case for one.

"I think that's ridiculous," Reid said. "What does he need to say to prove that he wants to be in the NFL? He's training every day. He's been to the Super Bowl. He has the tape. What is coming out and saying, 'I want to play in the NFL' do? It's obvious. I think it's just a diversion, along with all the other false narratives that are out there about him. It's just something to deflect away from why he's not (in the league). They're trying to put the blame on him for not being in the NFL."

While Reid praised Kaepernick's talent and offseason training, he also pointed to the financial benefits of bringing the quarterback into an organization.

"I would say that their bottom line would go higher with him on the team," Reid said. "His jersey sales were No. 1 in the league last year during the protest, so I think that speaks for itself."