Free agent safety Eric Reid kneeled during the Star-Spangled Banner last season and the Cincinnati Bengals asked him if he planned on continuing to do so.
According to Pro Football Talk, during Reid’s time with the Bengals on Monday, he was interviewed by team owner Mike Brown. Brown supposedly brought up the issue of kneeling during the anthem to Reid. At one point, the owner allegedly said he intended to ban it and wanted Reid’s response to that. He was not willing to commit to anything.
Almost Brown and Reid’s entire conversation was dedicated to the topic of protesting during the national anthem.
The same report said that Reid got the impression that the coaches liked him and were not concerned with what he does during the national anthem.
When the team was asked about the report, the Bengals said, “The Club conducts many interviews with players throughout the year. The Club views these interviews as confidential and does not comment on them.”
Last month, the former San Francisco 49ers player said he would no longer kneel during the Star-Spangled Banner.
While he doesn’t plan on kneeling, Reid has made it clear that he does plan to continue to protest to raise awareness about police brutality and race relations. (RELATED: Eric Reid Says He’ll No Longer Kneel During Anthem)
While he doesn’t plan on kneeling, Reid has made it clear that he does plan to continue to protest to raise awareness about police brutality and race relations.
While Mike Brown has not been overly outspoken about the national anthem protests, other owners have. The Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, and Texans owner, Bob McNair, have been ardent in their stance against kneeling during the anthem.