Eric Reid likens Colin Kaepernick workout to PR stunt: 'I'll believe it when I see it'

Jason Owens
·Staff writer
Updated

When news broke on Tuesday that the NFL would host a private workout for Colin Kaepernick to showcase his abilities to NFL teams this weekend, one prominent concern echoed widely.

Why on Saturday?

NFL teams and their coaches will be focused on Sunday games while scouts will have commitments to watch college football players. The timing raised scrutiny about the legitimacy of the workout.

Eric Reid: ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, a friend of Kaepernick’s and an ally on social justice causes, gave voice to those concerns with reporters at Wednesday’s practice.

“At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it,” Reid told reporters. “It feels like a PR stunt, again, with it being that it’s on a Saturday, what decision makers are going to be able to attend that workout?

“The other strange thing, I saw it was reported that teams were interested in Colin, but they reached out to the league about it. That’s strange, so we’ll see what happens.”

‘What head coach or GM’ will be available?

While remaining skeptical, Reid expressed confidence that despite who does or doesn’t show up, Kaepernick will be ready to perform, echoing Kaepernick’s sentiment after the workout was announced.

“It feels like the same play from the NFL,” Reid said. “It feels disingenuous. They told Colin that he has the opportunity and that the league will send representatives from each team. But it’s the Saturday before a game. Teams are traveling on Saturdays. What head coach or GM is going to be able to make this trip?

“But, as far as I know, Colin is going to be there and he’s going to perform, cause I know he’s ready.”

Eric Reid, right, has been a friend an ally of Colin Kaepernick's throughout his ordeal with the NFL. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Eric Reid, right, has been a friend an ally of Colin Kaepernick's throughout his ordeal with the NFL since they were 49ers teammates. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

NFL teams’ plans for Kaepernick’s workout

Multiple teams have confirmed that they will send representation to the workout, including the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. What that representation will entail is unclear.

The Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are among the teams that will reportedly send representatives, but the teams have not confirmed the reports.

The Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are among the teams to avoid addressing the topic directly.

The bottom line remains that who shows up and in what capacity will likely remain unclear until the workout ensues.

Reid recalls Malcolm X

Either way, Reid’s not ready to call the scheduled workout progress after Kaepernick has remained without an NFL job since 2016 in the wake of the controversy surrounding his protests of social injustice and police brutality via kneeling during the national anthem.

“I’ll quote Malcolm X,” Reid said. “‘If you stick a knife nine inches in my back and pull it out six, it’s not progress. It’s still a knife in my back.’ So we’ll see what happens.”

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