Eric Reid says owners won't sign him because of protests
Since teams have been able to negotiate with players, Eric Reid has yet to reportedly receive a contract offer or arrange a free-agent visit. He isn't overly curious as to why.
The former San Francisco 49ers safety believes he hasn't received interest because of his involvement in player protests, he tweeted Thursday. He was the first player to join Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem in 2016.
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
Reid, 26, also suggested it's not general managers or coaches that need to be convinced he's worth bringing in - it's owners.
GMs aren’t the hold up broski. It’s ownership. People who know football know who can play. People who know me, know my character. https://t.co/M9ULziZg5V
— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) March 16, 2018
In December, Reid said he was aware that, like Kaepernick, his protests could be held against him in free agency, and declared, "I'm fine with whatever outcome happens."
None of the other top free-agent safeties - Tyrann Mathieu, Morgan Burnett, Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston, or Tyvon Branch - have signed with new teams yet.
- With h/t to ESPN