Reid is being represented by attorney Mark Geragos, who is also handling Kaepernick's collusion caseGETTY IMAGES
Former 49ers S Eric Reid, the "first player to kneel" next to Colin Kaepernick in '16, is now "suing the NFL for collusion while his own free agency drags on," according to Cam Inman of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Reid "predicted last season that his social activism could hinder his job prospects, and that certainly could be the case amid what's been a slow-moving market for veteran safeties this free agency." Reid "continued to kneel through last season while Kaepernick remained a free agent, and although Reid said last month he likely would no longer kneel, he wouldn't outright confirm that when asked if that was so" by the Bengals during his only offseason visit. Reid is being represented by attorney Mark Geragos, who is "also handling Kaepernick's collusion case" in which he has sat in on depositions since March with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Texans Owner Bob McNair and Ravens GM & Exec VP Ozzie Newsome (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 5/3). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Andrew Beaton notes the NFLPA is "working closely with Reid, as it has been during Kaepernick's grievance process." Reid "could be entitled to compensatory damages should he win the claim, with teams potentially subject to fines if they are found to have colluded." But proving collusion "isn't simple," as the current CBA says "'evidence about the playing skills' isn't enough to prove teams have colluded to keep a player unsigned" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/3).
UPHILL BATTLE: In San Jose, Dieter Kurtenbach writes Reid's collusion case is "complicated." The free agent market for safeties has been "slow moving, leaving comparable players like Kenny Vaccaro, Tre Boston, and Mike Mitchell unsigned as well." But more so than that, collusion is "difficult to prove -- Reid would need to provide a 'clear preponderance' of evidence that two or more teams, or the NFL and at least one team, came to an agreement to keep him from signing with a team in the last 90 days" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 5/3). City Univ. of New York sports law professor Marc Edelman said that collusion "will be difficult to prove." Edelman: "You really have to prove that two or more NFL teams have violated a claim in the league's collective bargaining agreement. The mere fact that 32 teams have not signed a player, who was once a very good player, does not prove collusion, even if it supports the case that ... collusion could be happening" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/3). FS1's Colin Cowherd said he does not "buy into" the notion that "if you're political the league doesn't want you." Cowherd referenced Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins and Eagles DEs Chris Long and Michael Bennett as examples, and said while Bennett's "brand now is politics and football," the "best team in the league wanted him and the Patriots bid on him" when the Seahawks entertained trade offers. Cowherd: "I don't believe if you kneeled they're canceling you out." FS1's Greg Jennings said Reid's grievance filing is "beyond just the kneeling" and he "has a point in feeling like there's some collusion, but being able to prove that is a whole different thing." Jennings: "It's almost virtually impossible to prove that. ... It's a matter of him tying himself too closely to Colin Kaepernick" ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 5/2).
NOT BACKING DOWN: USA TODAY's Mike Jones writes Reid "faces the risk that the grievance could serve as a death sentence to his career," but he is "not dissuaded." Regardless of the outcome, it is "widely believed among players that owners have blackballed Reid and Kaepernick." The collusion allegations "pass the smell test, and Reid could have an even stronger case than Kaepernick" (USA TODAY, 5/3). In Oakland, Gary Peterson writes Reid and Kaepernick's protests "made the two undesirable." The grievance has "made them radioactive." Reid and Kaepernick "aren't dumb," as their cause is as "important to them as their careers." The longer this drama "twists in the wind, the worse the league looks" (EAST BAY TIMES, 5/3). ESPN's Adam Schefter said of Reid's decision to file a grievance, "There's got to be so much thought and consideration given to this because when you do this, you're dramatically decreasing the chances that you will ever play in the NFL again." Schefter: "If you couldn't get work before ... what are the chances another team will sign you now? Probably very, very small" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 5/3).
TWITTER REAX:CBS Sports' Joel Corry tweeted, "It may have made more sense for Eric Reid to wait until Tre Boston & Kenny Vaccaro signed before filing a collusion grievance. The safety market has been really soft in free agency." NESN's Matt Chatham: "A smart [sic] move by NFL owners to protect themselves would’ve been to collude to EMPLOY Eric Reid somehow, someway—not keep him out. Leaving that guy unsigned feels like corroboration to the Kaep case, where collusion seemed too difficult to prove. But now...not so difficult." FanSided's Matt Verderame: "Reid should absolutely have a job, but so should Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston. By filing this grievance, he's almost guaranteeing his career gets put on hold, at best." Civil rights lawyer Kristen Clarke: "Reid should not be penalized by the NFL for his commitment to justice."
