Panthers' Reid returns, kneels during national anthem

Gerardo Mccormick

Reid famously knelt next to Colin Kaepernick to protest racial injustice and spent quite a bit of time on the free agency market despite being a well-qualified and heralded safety.

Not only was this a huge kick for the Panthers, it pretty much ended New York's season. We know you're thinking it. It's the truth. You can't deny it.

That was just one of the backbreaking calls that went against NY in the game, as the Giants were called for eight penalties for a total of 62 yards, while Carolina committed just four penalties for 22 yards. They have to distract.

"Obviously they scored quite a few points on us, but it's always better to correct after a win". We have to stay strong.

BC-FBN-Panthers-Reid, 2nd Ld-Writethru, 400Panthers' Reid returns, kneels during national anthemAP Photo NCCB104, NCCB106, NCCB105, NCCB102, NCCB103Eds: Fixes typo in "Spangled".

That's why it shouldn't be a huge surprise when Newton flattened New York Giants linebacker Kareem Martin when the Panthers ran a trick play and Newton turned into a blocker. Dolphins defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist during the anthem.

Meanwhile, Reid said this week he hasn't decided whether he will protest before the game.

Gano had a 58-yarder in the playoffs last season.

Regardless of Beckham's stats this season, it's certainly not a good look to call out your team - especially when your head coach shuts down what you say.

Reid's new teammates, including wide receiver Torrey Smith, a member of the Players Coalition, said this past week that potential protests would not be a distraction for the Panthers. "It's not like he's out there and Coach calls Cover 3 or man-to-man, he's going to take a knee and let his guy run by".

"If that were the issue, then it would be a problem". We kept fighting, kept fighting, and kept fighting. And these are the kind of things, in my opinion, when we have the locker room that we have that will help galvanize them because the locker room took care of it and that is all I'm saying on it. Finito. Not to mention, Cam Newton is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league. We have great players in this locker room, and we've accepted him with open arms.

"Now, I'm not going to give the public a pound of flesh on this, alright!" He's a very young, talented football player that has a lot of talent left in his body.