Two NFL players who have participated in the national anthem protests nearly came to blows on the field on Sunday, Oct. 21.
Carolina Panthers defensive back Eric Reid, who was the first person to kneel with former quarterback Colin Kaepernick while both played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, confronted Philadelphia Eagles player Malcolm Jenkins before the game.
After the coin toss, it’s common for players of the opposing team to exchange high fives and chat before the game officially starts. While their teammates were doing just that, Reid and Jenkins began jawing at each other before other players recognized the exchange and separated them.
Jenkins’s group agreed to a deal with NFL executives that had the league donate about $90 million to groups supported by the players, as the NFL sought to end the divisive kneeling protests that have been blamed for declining ratings. The donation did not end the protests, which are still happening after a rule announced this past offseason punishing kneeling players was put on hold by the league.
After the game, Reid claimed Jenkins “co-opted the movement.” He also wanted Kaepernick to be involved in the negotiations.
Kaepernick, who recently starred in a Nike ad campaign but remains without a job in the NFL, took to Twitter to say: “Eric Reid!!! Enough said!!!”
Jenkins declined to comment on the issue, saying, “I’m not going to get up here and say anything negative about that man.”
Reid Continues Protest
Reid, 26, became a free agent in March after spending five seasons with the 49ers.Cincinnati Bengals Owner Mike Brown reportedly asked Reid if he would kneel during the anthem during a free agent meeting, and Reid refused to say he wouldn’t. Brown then declined to offer him a deal.
Reid joined Kaepernick’s collusion grievance against the NFL in May.
Kaepernick claims the league conspired to keep him off the field after he departed the 49ers at the end of the 2016 season.