Reid publicly confronted Jenkins ahead of the coin toss yesterday at Lincoln Financial FieldGETTY IMAGES
Panthers S Eric Reid and Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins had a "heated exchange" yesterday before their game, as tensions have been "building for months thanks to animosity stemming from differing opinions about the work of the Players Coalition, which is led by Jenkins," according to Dave Zangaro of NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com. After the game, Reid "called Jenkins -- among other things -- a coward and a sellout." Jenkins "helped broker" an $89M deal between the Players Coalition and the NFL last year to "help with projects dealing with racial inequality." Jenkins then "stopped his anthem demonstration when that deal was made." Reid, meanwhile, "left the Players Coalition and has been very critical of the group, once calling it an 'NFL-funded subversion group'" (NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com, 10/21). In Charlotte, Marcel Louis-Jacques notes Reid criticized Jenkins for "using the protest started by Colin Kaepernick for personal gain." In '17, the AP reported Reid left the Players Coalition after Jenkins "did not include Kaepernick in the group's meetings and attempted to mediate an end to protesting during the national anthem." Reid said of Jenkins, "I believe Malcolm capitalized on the situation -- he co-opted the movement that was started by Colin to get his organization funded. It's cowardly, he sold us out." After the game, Jenkins said that he is "relieved" Reid is back in the NFL and he "harbors no bad feelings" toward Reid or Kaepernick. Jenkins: "You couldn't pay me to say anything negative about them." Louis-Jacques notes while Reid, Kaepernick and "dozens of other NFL players opted to kneel during the national anthem," Jenkins instead "raised his fist in the air" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/22).
BAD BLOOD: In Philadelphia, Marcus Hayes notes Reid, who was wearing a Kaepernick-themed T-shirt after the game, said Jenkins was "cowardly" and "corrupt." Reid said Jenkins is an "opportunist" and a "neocolonialist" who aligns with oppressors. Hayes: "Essentially, Reid called Jenkins the worst thing you can call an American black man without using the words 'Uncle' and 'Tom.'" This was the "first interaction" between Reid and Jenkins since last winter, when Reid, Kaepernick and a small group "began to distance themselves" from the Players Coalition (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/22). ESPN.com's David Newton noted after the game, Kaepernick "tweeted his support" of Reid (ESPN.com, 10/21). Jenkins said of Reid, "I respect him. I'm glad he has a job. I'm glad he's back in the league. I'll leave it like that" (NYTIMES.com, 10/21). THE MMQB's Albert Breer writes the altercation "certainly looked like a coordinated effort" by Reid to confront Jenkins "when everyone was watching." Breer: "The personal nature of Reid's comments are unfair. There are few people who are as respected in the NFL as Jenkins is" (SI.com, 10/22). ESPN's Adam Schefter called it an "unfortunate situation." Jenkins and the Players Coalition have done a "lot of good," while Reid and Kaepernick also have "raised great points and brought attention to issues that needed attention." Reid and Jenkins have "done their jobs in their own great way, and to see them go at each other and have internal bickering is unfortunate and very sad” (“Get Up,” ESPN, 10/22).
AGREE TO DISAGREE: NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith said of the altercation, "We are bound to disagree strongly at times, but we also try to handle our family business and grievances personally rather than publicly. That said, it is undeniable that both of these men and those working along side them have been leaders on social justice issues and that the change they have brought about has undoubtedly made an impact for good" (NFL.com, 10/21). THE ATHLETIC's Bo Wulf wrote both players can "be right." Reid can be "right that a loosely defined financial apology from the league was not the purpose of Kaepernick’s protest." Jenkins "can be right that an agreement with the league was a pragmatic first step that doesn’t preclude further protest down the line" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/21).
DISAPPOINTING CHAPTER: THE UNDEFEATED's Jason Reid wrote Reid's "beef with Jenkins" should not "adversely impact" the Players Coalition movement. The coalition is "doing its thing, especially focusing on criminal justice reform" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 10/21). NBCSPORTS.com's Peter King writes the Reid-Jenkins story is "sad." King, on Reid calling the Players Coalition "an NFL-funded subversion group," wrote that for players "using their days off to go on police ride-alongs to calm tensions in some cities, or traveling to lobby their state legislators, imagine how it would feel to get belittled like that." It seems there is "not much common ground" between Reid and Jenkins (NBCSPORTS.com, 10/22). YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson writes this will be the "disappointing chapter written to the players protest that shook the NFL," which will "end with the coalition funded, socially proactive players divided, Kaepernick unemployed, and one side climbing above the fray with a solid split-decision win: The NFL" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/22).
