Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick addressed Pro Bowl free-agent safety Eric Reid’s signing with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.
Reid, who was one of the first players to kneel in protest of the national anthem during his time playing for the 49ers with Kaepernick, ended his free agency by signing with Carolina to replace injured safety Da’Norris Searcy. (RELATED: ERIC REID SAYS ANTHEM PROTESTS A REASON HE IS UNSIGNED)
Earlier this May, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) filed a grievance against the NFL on Reid’s behalf, claiming the league colluded to blackball players who protested the anthem. (RELATED: KAEPERNICK’S COLLUSION HEARINGS KICKED OFF TODAY – HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW)
And although Kaepernick still has not been signed by an NFL team, he congratulated Reid on his return to the NFL Thursday.
“Congrats 2 my brother @e_reid35, all-pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract. He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family. and communities in need,” Kaepernick wrote alongside a photo of the two.
Congrats 2 my brother @e_reid35, all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract.
He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family. and communities in need. pic.twitter.com/TsZOaFycYT
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 27, 2018
When asked whether the Panthers’ decision to sign Reid was at all politically motivated, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney told ESPN, “This was a football decision,” adding, “We made this decision based on the fact he’s a good football player. He’s played at a very high level the last few years. We think he can come in and help us win games.”
The Panthers are 2–1 this season and play the New York Giants on Sunday at 1 p.m.