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Eric Reid: Kaepernick's 'goal was accomplished' after workout

Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Eric Reid continued his support of former teammate Colin Kaepernick following the quarterback's workout Saturday.

"The goal was accomplished," Reid said Sunday, according to ESPN's David Newton. "He proved he can play this game. He proved he can throw the ball. Elite. That's what an NFL executive said."

The free-agent passer made 60 scripted throws during his workout at a Georgia high school, which drew generally strong reviews from team representatives.

Reid was the first player to join Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem to protest social injustices back in 2016. The Carolina Panthers safety commended the quarterback's courage to continue his comeback attempt.

"He's been working out every day for three years," Reid said. "Can you imagine the mental fortitude it takes to stay in shape for three years while somebody is blackballing you for you wanting to stand up for people who have been wronged?"

Reid, who attended drills in support of his former teammate, maintained the NFL organized the event as a public relations stunt.

"The proof of the workout was to show he can play the game, was to show he can throw the ball, and he did that," he said. "The NFL wanted to control the narrative by not letting independent NFL media into the workout to document the workout.

"They wouldn't even tell him who was going to run his routes for him. They wouldn't even give him a script for the workout. Is Colin supposed to trust an organization that has blackballed him? He's not that naive."

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