ASHBURN — Most coaches might consider a player kneeling during the national anthem to be a distraction. Player protests can bring frequent questions from the media, a passionate debate among the fanbase and even heat from the President, all of which could be annoying to football lifers trying to win games.
But Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday he does not have a problem with Eric Reid protesting before games — as the safety did last week against the New York Giants.
Reid will likely kneel again Sunday when the Panthers take on the Redskins at FedEx Field.