Is the NFL Picking on Eric Reid? Panthers Star Takes Aim at League's Drug Policy

Eric Reid has questioned the NFL's drug testing policy after being selected to undergo a random test for the seventh time this season.

After being informed he would be tested after the game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, the Carolina Panthers tweeted a picture of the anti-doping test which was left on his locker and captioned it with "Number 7…'Random.'"

Number 7... ”Random” pic.twitter.com/6HkxXCZhQP

— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) December 18, 2018

Read more: Eric Reid has returned to the NFL, will Colin Kaepernick follow?

Since signing for the Panthers earlier this season, Reid has played in 11 games and has been summoned for a drug test on seven occasions.

Eric Reid has been randomly drug tested 7 times in 11 weeks.

You can’t see the air quotes he put around randomly. pic.twitter.com/G40m4gQSO3

— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) December 18, 2018

"I have been here 11 weeks and I have been tested seven times," he told reporters after the game. "That has to be statistically impossible. I'm not a mathematician but there's no way this is random."

The 27-year-old was among the first players to support his then-teammate Colin Kaepernick's protest two years ago. The latter rose to prominence in 2016 as he opted to kneel rather than stand during the national anthem as an act of silent protest against social and racial injustice.

Kaepernick became a free agent ahead of last season but wasn't given a tryout by any of the 32 NFL teams. In October of last year he filed a grievance accusing the team owners of colluding with each other to prevent him from returning to the league.

Eric Reid is getting harassed by the NFL. Bad look.

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 18, 2018

The “random” tests are a scheme designed to distract Eric Reid. Because right now he’s one of the best safeties in football. This is shameful by the NFL. Just shameful.

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 18, 2018

Reid, who was let go by the San Francisco 49ers, filed a similar grievance with the league but unlike his former teammate he found his way back into the NFL.

The former Louisiana State University student signed with the Panthers in September to replace Da'Norris Searcy, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion in a month.

Despite returning to the NFL, Reid has not curbed his protests nor has he withdrawn his grievance against the league.

On Monday, Reid again knelt during the national anthem and wore a pair of specially designed cleats, which featured a drawing of Kaepernick and the 10-point platform of his former teammate's Know Your Rights Camp.

Reid posted a picture of his cleats on Twitter, explaining they were a tribute to the history of protest.

the shoulders of those giants who decided their moment was best used for the sake of the people. And it’s always the right time to do what’s right. No different from you using your moment to take a knee. It also has the 10 point platform of Colin’s Know Your Rights Camp.” 🔥🔥🔥

— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) December 17, 2018

"We all benefit and stand on the shoulders of those giants who decided their moment was best used for the sake of the people," he tweeted. "And it's always the right time to do what's right. No different from you using your moment to take a knee."

The Panthers lost 12-9 to the Saints, racking up a sixth consecutive defeat and slipping to 6-8, which puts them almost mathematically out of contention in the playoff race.

Eric Reid, Carolina Panthers
Eric Reid #25 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more

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