Week in Sports - Tuesday May 8, 2018
NBA Quarterfinals Update
This week I am joined by Calvin Thomas and Justin Harris as we give our thoughts on everything that transpired so far in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs.
First up, we discuss the shocking 3-1 lead the Boston Celtics has over the Philadelphia 76ers.
First up, we discuss the shocking 3-1 lead the Boston Celtics has over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Next up, we discuss the Cavs sweeping the Toronto Raptors.
Finally, we discuss the Western Conference playoff matchups.
Eric Reid's Collusion Case
As we stand on May 8, 2018, there should be no objective person who can say with any truth in their heart, that 26 year old Eric Reid is not talented enough to on a NFL roster. There is only one reason he has not been signed, and we all know it has everything to do with his choice to join his brother and teammate Colin Kaepernick and kneel during the National Anthem in protest against the killing of unarmed black men at the hands of the police. Well, yesterday, the NFL Players Association filed two claims on behalf of Reid, including a non injury grievance specific to Reid's free-agent visits and a more general "system arbitrator case" alleging that any team that asks prospective signees whether they plan to protest during the anthem is engaged in bad-faith negotiation.
The union's statement lists five bullet points as justification for the claims:
The union's statement lists five bullet points as justification for the claims:
- "There is no League rule that prohibits players from demonstrating during the national anthem."
- "The NFL has made it clear both publicly and to the NFLPA that they would respect the rights of players to demonstrate."
- "The Collective Bargaining Agreement definitively states that the League (NFL) rules supersede any conflicting club rules."
- "According to our information, a club appears to have based its decision not to sign a player based on the player's statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club's policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to the League policy."
- "At least one club owner has asked pre-employment interview questions about a player's intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given League policy."
This comes after just last week when Reid and his lawyer filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, similar to the one Kaep filed previously. This all comes down to PR and the almighty dollar. The NFL owners want to move on from any players who will keep the anthem protest going and upset their sponsors and patriotic fanbase who have been offended by the what they view as disrespect of the flag and what it stands for to them. So, what's the easiest way to quiet the leaders of the movement? Shut them out. At this point, nobody should be questioning whether this blackball is rolling. Clearly it is. We shall see if the fight Reid and Kaepernick are putting up, will result in them getting hired to play in the NFL again. Eric Reid is one of the best at his position and he clearly deserves every right to play football and make millions of dollars doing so.