Tuesday 12 February 2019 08:05, UK
Eric Reid has signed a new three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers and believes it will help him in his collusion grievance against the NFL.
Reid was unable to find a team during the 2018 off-season and joined Colin Kaepernick in filing a case against the league, both players alleging that teams had colluded to keep them off the field.
He would eventually sign a deal with Carolina for less than $2m four weeks into the 2018 season but Kaepernick was unable to secure a new team.
The safety's new deal in Carolina is slated to pay him $22m over three years, with $10m in guarantees, and Reid sees that as bolstering his grievance case.
Kaepernick and Reid were among the highest-profile names to start kneeling for the national anthem before games in protest at police violence and racial inequality in the United States.
"If anything, it proves my point from last year," said Reid, who also complained that he had been unfairly targeted for post-game random drug testing last season.
"I didn't sign until the (fourth) week and did for almost the league minimum. And this year I signed a more substantial contract. Nothing has changed. I'm still the same player.
"It gives my family peace of mind knowing where we'll be the next couple of years. I enjoyed being here.
"I like that it's low key here. It's not too busy. Traffic isn't crazy. I like the defense and the coaching staff, so I'm excited."
