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CHARLOTTE, NC – The Carolina Panthers signed Thursday a contract between Eric Reid, the free agent of the Pro Bowl, who was not reaffirmed by the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason.
In 2016, Reid was the first player to join former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, on his knees during the national anthem to protest racial and racial equality. police brutality.
In May, the NFLPA filed a grievance with the NFL on behalf of Reid alleging that the team's owners and the league, influenced by President Donald Trump, had collaborated to prevent his employment because of his protests .
Reid will replace veteran Da 'Norris Searcy, who was placed on the wounded list last week after suffering his second concussion in a month.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney told ESPN Thursday that the team began exploring options Monday and invited Reid to meet with staff on Wednesday. When asked if Reid's grievance with the NFL was a factor, he said: "It was a football decision".
"We made this decision on the basis that he is a good football player," Hurney told ESPN. "He's played at a very high level in recent years, and we think he can come and help us win games."
A source told Adam Schefter of ESPN that Reid's grievance against the NFL should continue.
Earlier this week, Panthers receiver Torrey Smith, a former Reid teammate with the 49ers, pleaded for the 2013 Pro Bowl selection.
"Honestly, with our injuries, I hope that it will end here," Smith said. "I know he's talented.If this is something where they come and talk to me about him, I'll be happy to talk about him as a player, as a person." "One of the best men I know, so I hope it's something that can happen to us because I know that with injuries, it's a guy who can help." this team. "
"I really hope he'll shoot, he deserves it and it's not what happened to him."
Smith, who defended the players' right to protest, called Reid, 26, a "great leader" and one of the "best men I know".
"These two guys should play," Smith said of Reid and Kaepernick. "They should be in the league, both."
The Panthers (2-1) are at their farewell week. They played with a three-security rotation Sunday against Cincinnati, starting Mike Adams at safety and Colin Jones at free, with rookie Rashaan Gaulden giving relief.
They signed Dezmen Southward, who was with the team in the camp, to the practice team on Monday and also have safety Cole Luke on the training team.
"Eric has been a security star in the NFL and has played at a high level throughout his career," Hurney said in a statement. "After putting Da' Norris Searcy on the list of injured, Ron [Rivera] and I discussed our options, and Eric was at the top of our list.
"It's a physical security with good ball skills and an ability to play."
The Panthers will face the New York Giants on October 7th.
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