After Colin Kaepernick came under fire for changing the location of his NFL workout, Eric Reid came to the quarterback's defense. 

On Saturday, Kaepernick was invited to workout with the NFL to showcase his athleticism after being exiled for three years, allegedly because of his police brutality protests. Kaep was criticized by several, including ESPN First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith, for changing the time and location of the workout after learning no media would be present and he would have to sign a liability waiver. 

The current Carolina Panthers player was the first to join Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem when they both played for the San Francisco 49ers.  

Reid applauded Kaep for taking control of the situation and allowing the media to film his workout, rather than opting for the closed setting the NFL planned. 

While supporting his friend via Twitter, Reid came across the sports commentator's video alleging Kaep doesn’t actually want to play in the NFL because of the way he approached the workout. 

“Twenty five teams show up in Georgia at the Atlanta Falcons practice facility — state of the art facility, NFL personnel, equipment, video, everything, and what does Colin Kaepernick do,” Smith said referencing Kaep's decision to change the location of the session, during a episode of ESPN's First Take, “Colin Kaepernick wants to change the venue.”

“He don’t want to play. He wants to be a martyr…You don’t want to work. You just want to make noise and you want to control the narrative,” Smith continued. “It’s over.”

Reid took issue with Smith’s remarks, alluding that the ESPN host is playing up to the NFL to make the league happy. Reid tweeted at Smith, citing Malcolm X and saying Smith doesn’t get a pass just because he’s Black. He questioned why Kaep would trust the NFL given its treatment of him. He also alleged that the TV personality has been on the league’s side this whole time in trying to keep Kaepernick out of a job. 

"Tap dancing for the NFL like ⬇️. Damn straight Colin wants to control the narrative!" Reid tweeted to Smith. "He supposed to trust the organization that blackballed him and has done absolutely nothing in good faith??? Born on Tuesday, just not last Tuesday.

The sports analyst had some words for Reid after learning of his comments. He criticized him for continuing to collect a check from the NFL despite his constant critiques of the league. He also made it clear that he believes the NFL is wrong in blackballing the quarterback, but he disagrees with the way Kaep approached the Saturday workout. 

Reid seemed to have ignored most of Smith’s tweets and continued to show support for his friend. After his game Sunday, Reid commented on the workout after his own game against the Falcons. 

The game was held in Atlanta and Reid was at Kaep’s workout the day before to encourage his former teammate. 

Colin-KaepernickEric-ReidNFL Protestsstephen a smith