On Wednesday, the NFL and NFL Players Association released a joint statement claiming that the random drug tests involving Carolina Panthers safety and anthem protester Eric Reid, were indeed random. And not a deliberate attempt to target Reid.
On Friday, lawyers representing Reid issued their own response. Not surprisingly, disputing the claims of the NFL and NFLPA.
According to CBS’ Jason LaCanfora via Pro Football Talk:
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that Reid’s lawyers contend that Reid was randomly tested at least seven times, and that some of the dates appearing in the NFL/NFLPA report were incorrect. They demand a public correction, and they also seek ‘access to all evidence, records, electronic messages and information sources used to determine the findings within the report.’
While there’s every possibility that the NFL is wrong in claiming that Reid was tested fewer times than he claims. It’s unlikely that the NFL and the NFLPA are both wrong. The Players Association has been very sympathetic to Reid, and original anthem protester Colin Kaepernick. Making it highly implausible that the union would side with the league against Reid, unless the evidence had been truly compelling.
However, if Reid is correct and the league is wrong, he and his lawyers will have their opportunity to present evidence.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn