The dominant storyline from Week 3 in the NFL was the widespread protests held during the national anthem at each game.
The San Francisco 49ers weren't one of the teams in action Sunday, but Niners safety Eric Reid looked on in awe.
For much of last season, Reid kneeled alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the anthem in protest of police brutality and the treatment of people of color in America. On Monday, he explained his role in the protest in an opinion piece for the The New York Times.
Reid said he first got involved after learning of the "incredible number of unarmed black people being killed by the police."
I approached Colin the Saturday before our next game to discuss how I could get involved with the cause but also how we could make a more powerful and positive impact on the social justice movement. We spoke at length about many of the issues that face our community, including systemic oppression against people of color, police brutality and the criminal justice system. We also discussed how we could use our platform, provided to us by being professional athletes in the NFL, to speak for those who are voiceless.
On Friday, President Donald Trump suggested NFL owners should "get that son of a b---- off the field" if a player kneels for the anthem, believing it to be a sign of disrespect to the American flag.
Reid said that was never the intention.
It baffles me that our protest is still being misconstrued as disrespectful to the country, flag and military personnel. We chose it because it's exactly the opposite. It has always been my understanding that the brave men and women who fought and died for our country did so to ensure that we could live in a fair and free society, which includes the right to speak out in protest.
Since sparking the movement, Kaepernick has been both hailed and derided for his actions. However, professionally, it's believed his protest has played a part in his continuing unemployment from the NFL.
I can't find words that appropriately express how heartbroken I am to see the constant smears against Colin, a person who helped start the movement with only the very best of intentions. We are talking about a man who helped to orchestrate a commercial plane full of food and supplies for famine-stricken Somalia. A man who has invested his time and money into needy communities here at home. A man I am proud to call my brother, who should be celebrated for his courage to seek change on important issues. Instead, to this day, he is unemployed and portrayed as a radical un-American who wants to divide our country.
Reid said that anyone with a "basic knowledge of football" knows Kaepernick's unemployment has nothing to do with his play on the field.
Reid added he's encouraged by the responses from his colleagues on Sunday and will continue to stand for what's right.
