He Took a Knee — And Paid the Price: The Eric Reid Story

San Francisco, CA – June 7, 2025

When Eric Reid knelt beside Colin Kaepernick in 2016, it wasn't just a gesture — it was a lightning rod. One knee on the turf during the national anthem, and suddenly the young 49ers safety, once known solely for his bone-rattling tackles and Pro Bowl pedigree, became a symbol of resistance — and a marked man in the NFL.

“I knew it might cost me everything,” Reid once said. “But silence in the face of injustice is complicity. And I refused to be complicit.”

Reid, a first-round pick in 2013, was supposed to be a cornerstone of the 49ers' defense for years to come. He had the resume — All-Rookie honors, a Pro Bowl nod, and a reputation for intelligence and versatility on the field. But in choosing to kneel alongside Kaepernick to protest police brutality and racial inequality, he stepped beyond the boundaries of conventional NFL stardom — and into the storm.

Despite finishing out his rookie contract with professionalism and productivity, Reid entered free agency in 2018 to an unnerving silence. Teams that once showed interest suddenly turned cold. Questions swirled: Was it his play? His injuries? Or was it the knee that made him “controversial”?

“Eric Reid was blackballed just like Kap,” said one unnamed former executive. “He could start on 20 teams. The issue wasn’t talent.”

Eventually, the Carolina Panthers gave him a chance. Reid played well, posting career highs in tackles and continuing his outspokenness off the field. But after just two seasons — and despite clearly being starting-caliber — Reid found himself out of a job again in 2020. The silence this time was even louder.

Through it all, Reid never wavered.

“I didn’t kneel for attention. I kneeled because I love this country and believe it can be better,” he said during an interview with The Players’ Tribune in 2019. “If that’s a reason to lose your career, then so be it.”

Today, at 32, Reid is no longer on an NFL roster. But his impact reverberates louder than many who played twice as long. He is now a speaker, activist, and mentor — continuing to advocate for criminal justice reform, voter education, and racial equity.

For many in the 49ers fanbase, Reid remains a hero — not just for his fearless play, but for the courage to confront an uncomfortable truth, even at personal cost.

“Eric Reid showed us that being a man of principle matters more than playing on Sundays,” one longtime fan posted on social media. “He knelt for justice — and stood taller than most ever will.”

In an NFL still grappling with its identity, Eric Reid’s story is a lasting reminder that legacy isn’t defined only by stats or trophies — sometimes, it’s written in sacrifice.