Former Falcons WR Rips Eric Reid over Anthem Protests After Illegal Hit on Ben Roethlisberger

Carolina Panthers safety and national anthem protester Eric Reid, was ejected from the game on Thursday night after delivering an illegal hit to Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger.

That hit, however, didn’t just get a reaction from the officials who tossed Reid form the game. It also got a social media reaction from a former NFL player.

Brian Finneran, former wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, took a shot at Reid over his anthem protests on Twitter shortly after the safety was ejected:

Now Eric Reid can go take a knee in the locker room.

— Brian Finneran (@BFinn86) November 9, 2018

Much of the reaction to Finneran’s tweet was not favorable:

Brian Finneran can die in a forest fire

— Kevin Brown (@PlayaKB) November 9, 2018

It’s unclear why it would have to be a forest fire. Or, why Finneran would be in the forest, but okay.

There were other posts that charged Finneran with racism:

Brian Finneran had 5,978 black teammates & managed 2 watch his mouth & never say anything racist.. funny how when none of ur former teammates r around u decide 2 tweet ur displeasure 4 those who want them 2 have equal rights when I'm sure u had plenty of time to tell them this 🏾‍♂️

— Randall Dixon (@lunchMoneyDixon) November 9, 2018

Also unclear as to how Finneran’s comment could be construed as racist. He took a specific shot at Reid for his protest stance. He didn’t make a comment about black players or black people in general. Then again it’s Twitter and it’s 2018, so why should anything make sense?

Most players have either supported Reid in his anthem stance, or stayed quiet. Finneran is one of a very small group of players — active or retired — to take a shot at Reid, publicly.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn