49ers S 'fine' if anthem protests cost him

San Francisco 49ers strong safety Eric Reid was the first player to join then-teammate Colin Kaepernick in protesting the national anthem, and he took a knee during the anthem before a September 1st, 2016 game against the Chargers.

Reid has continued to protest during the anthem throughout the 2017 season, but he knows that his protests could affect him in free agency.

Reid, who has been a starter since his rookie season, will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He should find a team that wants to add him based on his production - but says that he isn't worried if his anthem protests cost him a job.

Via ESPN:

"I would say I understand that's a possibility. And I'm completely fine with it. The things that I've done, I stand by, and I've done that for my own personal beliefs. Like I said, I'm fine with whatever outcome happens because of that."

Reid also noted that he believes some teams will refuse to sign him because of his beliefs.

"There are probably teams that won't want to talk to me because of it. I'm hopeful that I will be on a team next year, but if not, again, that's OK with me."

Reid wrote a powerful column in the New York Times earlier this year, and explained that he believes the protests have been misconstrued.

Via the New York Times:

"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.

…. It should go without saying that I love my country and I'm proud to be an American. But, to quote James Baldwin, "exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

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