Jay-Z made headlines when it was announced Roc Nation will be entering a partnership with the NFL for entertainment and social justice efforts. It seems the news has been met with some contempt form Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid.
There is no question that the deal has received plenty of mixed feelings. Reid was not shy about expressing his distaste with the whole matter, via Joe Person of the team's official website:
“Jay-Z claimed to be a supporter of Colin,” Reid said. “Wore his jersey. Told people not to perform at the Super Bowl because of the treatment that the NFL did to Colin. Now he’s going to be a part owner and . . . . ”
“When has Jay-Z ever taken a knee, to come out and tell us that we’re past kneeling?” Reid also said. “Yes, he’s done a lot of great work. A lot of great social justice work. But for you to get paid to go into an NFL press conference and say that we’re past kneeling? Again, asisine. Players Coalition 2.0. He got paid to take the bullets that he’s taking now, because we’re not having it.”
It is clear that Reid is not happy with not only the deal that was made but Jay-Z's comments regarding the kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice. The revelation of the music icon fast-tracking himself to become a part owner has raised even more speculation regarding his ambitions behind the new project.
Reid had been at the forefront of the protest alongside former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The fact that he remains without a job while Jay-Z moves up the NFL ladder clearly does not sit well with Reid. As a result, it is safe to say that the veteran will continue to speak out until Kaepernick has a job or some truly significant changes regarding systemic oppression are made.
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