Ex-LSU Safety Eric Reid Explains Why He Didn't Stand For National Anthem

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“He is taking advantage of the platform that he’s given to bring awareness to a worthy cause,” Reid said. “What’s more American than that?”

This time, Kaepernick didn’t retreat to the bench, but took a knee near the sideline, and Reid took a knee next to him.

“It’s something that’s been on my mind all week and after talking to Colin many times, I talked to him today before the game,” Reid said. “People thought it was disrespectful for him to sit down. He was able to decide, ‘What if we took a knee instead of sitting?’

“And that came off as more respectful to the country, to the anthem, to the military. And I agree with that. It shows that he hears that people were hurt by him sitting, but he still believes in the cause that he wants to bring awareness to. So he changed his physical position from sitting down to take a knee to still show respect.”

“I don’t personally feel oppressed, but there are things that have happened in this country that have touched very close to home for me — the situation in Louisiana,” Reid said. “I grew up around that. But this is a responsibility that he feels and a responsibility that I feel as well. It’s bigger than football.”

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