Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Eric Reid Signs With Panthers, Back in NFL After Protests
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
September 27, 2018

Share

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eric Reid is getting another shot in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers on Thursday have signed the free agent safety to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not announced.

“Everybody we sign we ask if he has the skill set and if he helps us win football games — and we feel the answer is yes.” — Panthers general manager Marty Hurney on Eric Reid
Reid filed an official grievance letter with the NFL in October of 2017, alleging that team owners and the league colluded to prevent his employment due to his protest activities. Reid, along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, participated in protests during the playing of the national anthem before NFL games to highlight social awareness and racial injustice.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said he wasn’t concerned about Reid’s past protests, telling The Associated Press it was a “football decision” — and one that was approved by new owner David Tepper.
“Every decision we make we communicate with Tepper,” Hurney said. Tepper bought the team from Jerry Richardson this past summer.
“Everybody we sign we ask if he has the skill set and if he helps us win football games — and we feel the answer is yes,” Hurney said of Reid.

Kaepernick Offers Congratulations

Kaepernick has offered congratulations on Twitter to his former teammate, saying Reid is a “social justice warrior (who) continues to support his family and communities in need.” He said Reid was the first person who knelt alongside him for the national anthem, which was done to highlight racial and social injustice.
 


Kaepernick added that Reid is an “all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency.”

Unclear if Reid Plans to Continue His Protests

It’s unclear if Reid plans to continue his protests when he begins playing for the Panthers, though he said in March he doesn’t plan to protest during the national anthem this season.

“He’s a young player with skins on the wall. He has played at a very high level. He comes in and helps make our safety positon better.”Panthers general manager Marty Hurney
The Panthers have a bye this week and next play at home on Oct. 7 against the New York Giants.
Reid is expected to start right away after the Panthers placed Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve last week.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Reid played the first five seasons of his NFL career with San Francisco after the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.
“He’s a physical safety with good ball skills and he makes plays and he has experience,” Hurney said. “He’s a young player with skins on the wall. He has played at a very high level. He comes in and helps make our safety positon better.”
Reid earned Pro Bowl and All-Rookie honors in his first season after starting all 16 games for the 49ers and recording 92 tackles, four interceptions, 11 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He started all three playoff games for the 49ers in 2013, helping the team to an NFC Championship game appearance.
Reid started 12 of 13 games played last season, registering 66 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He has started 69 of 70 regular season games played during his career, tallying 375 tackles, 10 interceptions, 34 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Life-Threatening Meals: Restaurants Would Identify Food Allergens for Diners Under This Proposed Law

DON'T MISS

Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases in Region if Military Conflict Arises

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades

DON'T MISS

Fresno Measure C Transportation Tax Talks Continue Amid Renewal Uncertainty

DON'T MISS

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Detaining Mahmoud Khalil

DON'T MISS

Is a Waxed Apple ‘Ultra-Processed?’ CA Bill Could Trigger a Lawsuit Barrage

DON'T MISS

Edmunds: These Five Vehicles Are Hidden Automotive Gems

DON'T MISS

GM to Invest $4 Billion to Shift Some Production From Mexico to the US

DON'T MISS

How Your Air Conditioner Can Help the Power Grid, Rather Than Overloading It

DON'T MISS

Hundreds of Laid-off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

UP NEXT

Giants Edge Rockies on Yastrzemski’s RBI. They’ve Won 6 Straight Games by 1 Run

UP NEXT

Andy Pages, Tommy Edman Deliver in 10th as Dodgers Edge Padres

UP NEXT

Alcaraz Outlasts Sinner in a French Open Finale for the Ages

UP NEXT

OKC Doesn’t Blow Lead This Time, Evens NBA Finals by Shredding Indiana

UP NEXT

Kershaw Pitches 5 Sharp Innings as Dodgers Knock Off Cardinals

UP NEXT

Yastrzemski Knocks in 3 as Giants Stretch Win Streak to 5

UP NEXT

Sinner Bids for His First French Open Title Against Defending Champion Alcaraz

UP NEXT

Coco Gauff Defeats Top-Ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 Sets to Win Her First French Open Title

UP NEXT

Texas Beats Texas Tech in 3rd Game of WCWS to Win Its 1st National Championship

UP NEXT

Conforto Comes Through, Dodgers Rally in 8th for Victory Abetted by Mets Mishap

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

11 minutes ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

23 minutes ago

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

28 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

28 minutes ago

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

50 minutes ago

Mexican Flags at LA Protests Are Dividing America

52 minutes ago

Trump Blocks California EV Rules in Latest Move to Rein In the State

60 minutes ago

Wired Wednesday: Untangling Community Health’s Kickback Scheme

1 hour ago

Italy Has No Indication of Imminent Israeli Attack on Iran

2 hours ago

Fresno Scientist Says He Can Treat Raw Milk, Keep Its Benefits. He Just Got FDA Approval

2 hours ago

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

INDIANAPOLIS — TJ McConnell stole inbounds passes not once, not twice, but three times in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He waved his arms, pumpe...

4 minutes ago

4 minutes ago

McConnell, Mathurin Lead Pacers’ Bench Charge in Game 3, Fueling 2-1 NBA Finals Lead Over Thunder

5 minutes ago

US Sen. Alex Padilla Was Forcibly Removed After Interrupting News Conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

7 minutes ago

Fresno Joins Nationwide ‘No Kings Day’ Movement at Multiple Locations

11 minutes ago

JetBlue Flight Rolls off Runway at Boston Airport, No Injuries Reported

23 minutes ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

28 minutes ago

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

A wildfire burning near Avenue 7 1/2 and River Drive in Madera Valley has scorched 12 acres with zero containment as of Thursday, June 12, 2025, morning. (CalFire)
28 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters/Stringer)
50 minutes ago

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend