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Carolina Panthers strong safety Eric Reid stands on the sideline prior to an Oct 21 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Panthers have re-signed Reid to a three-year contract that runs through the 2021 season. (Matt Rouke / AP Photo)

Notorious Anthem-Kneeler Signs Huge Deal, Quadruples Previous Salary

By The Wildcard February 11, 2019 at 11:41am

Eric Reid has signed a three-year contract worth more than $22 million with the Carolina Panthers, a huge bump over his salary from last year.

Reid said Monday he believes he got “fair market value” after making just $1.69 million last season from the Panthers.

Reid, who formerly played with the San Francisco 49ers, has a collusion case pending against NFL owners, alleging that he wasn’t signed last offseason as a direct result of his decision to kneel for the national anthem alongside former teammate Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is still out of the league and Reid believes that won’t change anytime soon.

“Knowing what I know, my hope tank is on E (empty),” Reid said.

Reid also addressed the joint statement from the NFL and the NFL Players Association in January that he was not targeted by the league with too many drug tests in 2018.

“I believe otherwise,” Reid said.

After signing with the Panthers in October, Reid started all 13 games played.

He had 73 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception and a sack.

Do you think the NFL is colluding against Colin Kaepernick?

He was set to become an unrestricted free agent, but said re-signing with Carolina now brings piece of mind to him and his family.

“I enjoy being here and it reminds me of where I grew up” in Louisiana, Reid said. “I’m just excited for my family’s future.”

Reid also said it will help entering the season knowing the Panthers defensive playbook.

He said it was difficult jumping right into the defense last year in the middle of the season and having to learn all of the calls.

However, Reid said re-signing with the Panthers was more about the contract than any sense of loyalty to the team that gave him a second chance in the NFL.

“I don’t see a whole lot of loyalty in this business,” Reid said.

“They can cut me at any time. The contract is what made my decision.”

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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