Eric Reid and Malcolm Jenkins turned the fight for racial and social justice into a skirmish on the field Sunday. Reid then went on offense with his comments, calling the Eagles safety and co-founder of The Players Coalition "a sellout."
Reid split from the coalition last year because Jenkins had excluded Colin Kaepernick from meetings, and asked players if they would stop protesting during the national anthem if the NFL made a charitable donation to causes they support. Reid, a safety who signed with the Panthers in September, said he believed he no longer had shared interests with the socially active coalition and would continue on his own path with the unsigned Kaepernick, who was the first player to sit and then kneel during the anthem to protest racism and police brutality.
"We believe a lot of players should have stepped up for Colin," Reid said Sunday after the Panthers beat the Eagles 21-17. "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."
Jenkins took the high road when told of the criticism.
"I'm not going to get up here and say anything negative about that man," he said. "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."
Reid, who was not supposed to be at midfield, and Jenkins jawed at each other before kickoff. Reid then continued his tradition of taking a knee during the national anthem.
Reid has essentially accused of Jenkins of running The Players Coalition through a dependence on the NFL. The league is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves players.
Injury report
It was a tough Sunday for NFL running backs. New England lost Sony Michel to a knee injury, as the rookie had to be helped off the field after he got twisted around by Chicago's Bilal Nichols on the first play of the second quarter.
