The Panthers signing S Eric Reid signifies the "end of the perceived blacklisting for one of the most prominent 'kneelers' in the NFL while also ushering in a new era in Carolina" under new team Owner David Tepper, according to Jonathan Jones of SI.com. It "cannot be overstated how unlikely this signing would have been if Jerry Richardson still owned the Panthers." It was "well understood that any public protest would be frowned upon" by Richardson. Tepper has been critical President Trump and he has "clearly been on the opposite" side of Trump's views as it "relates to NFL players protesting during the national anthem." Tepper earlier this month "refuted the notion that players who protest are un-American." He also has "spoken multiple times about his commitment to helping the community" (SI.com, 9/27). THE ATHLETIC's Joseph Person wrote signing Reid was yet another decision that would "never have been made" with Richardson as owner. Tepper has been "open with Panthers’ players about giving them a voice and supporting their community activism and charitable causes" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/27). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes Tepper is "undeniably progressive with social issues and the involvement of players on that front." It is "hardly a coincidence" that Reid wound up on the Panthers -- where there is "support from the top" (USA TODAY, 9/28). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser called the move a "really big deal" because it shows that players who protest "are no automatically blackballed" ("PTI," ESPN, 9/27). ESPN's Bomani Jones: "These ain't Jerry Richardson's Panthers no more" ("High Noon," ESPN, 9/27).
A FOOTBALL MOVE: Panthers GM Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera stressed that the decision to sign Reid was "about football." In Charlotte, Jourdan Rodrigue notes the Panthers "needed safety help after putting starter Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve last week." However, Reid joined Colin Kaepernick in "kneeling during the national anthem" in '16 to "protest social injustice and police brutality." He filed a grievance in May against the NFL after he "went unsigned" during the free-agent period that was similar to Kaepernick's collusion grievance against league owners (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/28). Also in Charlotte, Scott Fowler writes, "Bravo to the Panthers for ignoring the noise and making a progressive hire by signing Reid." It "undoubtedly helps" that Tepper has "basically given his players permission to protest social injustice however they choose." Fowler: "I don’t think Reid would have been signed in the Jerry Richardson era. But I also don’t think the Panthers are making a sweeping statement here about constitutional rights or police brutality." The "sweeping statement the Panthers made was simply this: 'We don’t have enough good safeties'" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/28).
A GOOD LOOK: YAHOO SPORTS' Terez Paylor wrote the signing of Reid "reflects an open-mindedness that many other safety-needy franchises did not have, and it will not be forgotten." Money and security "will always be the most important factors for free-agent players." However, if "all things are equal, don’t be surprised to see some socially conscious players use the owner’s track record as tie-breaking criterion in the future." The Panthers tweeted out a photo announcing the move of Reid holding up his right fist, and is that is "any indication ... it's clear that Reid remains socially conscious." The Panthers "deserve credit for not being scared away by whatever could come of that" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/27). ESPN's Israel Gutierrez: "This is what we need more of, these owners who are willing to take a stand here" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 9/27). ESPN's Domonique Foxworth said the Panthers' organization has been "encouraging their players to speak out." He added, "They've told them they can use the social media platform, they can use the field, they can use whatever they want to speak out on their causes" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 9/27).
COLLUSION CASE ROLLS ON: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Reid's "collusion case will still go on against the NFL," meaning the Panthers "did something that other teams were unwilling to do." Schefter: "They signed a guy that's basically suing the NFL" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 9/27). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport cited a source as saying Reid's role in the collusion lawsuit against the NFL "will change" somewhat after signing a deal. However, the Panthers "did not discuss that with him" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 9/27). CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora noted Reid's legal team "will still make the claim that he was on the market as long as he was, and he's signing for a no-frills, one-year contract at this late stage of the game, in part because they believed, and they will maintain, that he was colluded against for his political stance" ("Time to Schein," CBS Sports Network, 9/27). The Undefeated's Jason Reid said by signing with the Panthers, Reid "could have a mitigating factor on damages because clearly he's now signed on a team" ("OTL," ESPN, 9/27).
