CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NFL and NFL Players Association have asked the administrator of their independent drug-testing program to look into allegations by Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid concerning the number of times he has been tested this season, sources from both sides confirmed.
Reid said following last Monday night’s loss to New Orleans he was tested for the seventh time since signing with Carolina in late September. He implied it was because of his collusion grievance against the league
The grievance was filed in May by the NFLPA on Reid’s behalf, alleging team owners and the league, influenced by President Donald Trump, colluded to prevent Reid’s employment because of his protests against social injustice during the pregame national anthem.
While the NFL and NFLPA stand by their position the tests are random and they have no influence on who gets tested, they have asked that John Lombardo look into the matter with the number of tests raising eyebrows.
Lombardo has been the administrator of the program for 28 years.
“I guess there was something about some mathematician saying it’s highly improbable, but definitely possible,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said earlier this week. “But I’ll say this: If my name came up that many times, I’d buy a lottery ticket.”
Reid, the first player to join former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem, continues to pursue the grievance. He also continues to kneel during the anthem.
Reid’s attorney and the NFLPA, sources told ESPN.com previously, are looking into the matter.
Reid’s grievance is scheduled to be heard after the season. While there isn’t a lot he can say now, Reid made it clear he and his representatives are “taking notes” about everything that has happened the past few months.
Reid also has suggested his four fines and ejection have been part of the league targeting him because of the grievance. He could face another fine after Sunday’s loss to Atlanta in which he was called for a personal foul.
The Washington Post initially reported this request to Lombardo.