Pro Football Hall of Fame Ed Reed Seemingly Compares NFL to Slave “Fields”

The next head football coach of Bethune-Cookman University was announced by Ed Reed, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. The 44-yearold was visiting Florida recently to discuss his agreement with the school.

While there, Reed was asked a question regarding Damar Hamlin’s harrowing collapse and the National Football League. He presented a bold and profound perspective, and compared the NFL with slavery. “fields.”

Reed stated that players are the most important thing in his life. “get treated like sh*t” They should also have insurance and guarantees. Hamlin’s near-death incident is not the basis for his opinion, but an example of how dangerous that the sport can be.

I’ve been saying they need to put guarantees in the contracts because you can die playing this sport. Our sport been the worst sport and everybody knowing that our contracts still not guaranteed and we still get treated like sh*t, for lack of better words. It’s the truth. It’s what people know.

— Ed Reed

Hamlin, He was discharged from the hospital, and is now able to continue his recovery at home.This season, he played on his rookie contract. It is not guaranteed.

A player must have at most three credit seasons to qualify for a league pension. Hamlin only has two.

His contract also includes standard provisions, which reduce his salary, as he was placed on Injured reserve. Fortunately, though, the NFL, NFL Player’s Association and Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement so that Hamlin will be payed in full.

Nevertheless, Hamlin’s collapse serves as an intense reminder of the reality that comes with the sport. Reed wants to make sure that no agreements have to be reached— he wants guaranteed contracts.

Ed Reed reportedly compared the NFL with slave farms.

Reed made a striking analogy while discussing his points of view.

You are aware that our league is run [sic] By the owners. That is what we know. We know it’s not a players-led league. We all know the truth. We all know the truth. [sic] the truth and the truth is who runs it and why it’s ran [sic] that way, it’s still the fields. It’s still an extension of the fields.

— Ed Reed

The “fields” that Reed referred to aren’t exactly clear. He did, however, seem to have compared the NFL to a modern plantation that shackles athletes under guise if employment.

Reed has issues with the NFL’s way of running it and continues to battle nerve issues. His insurance doesn’t cover him.

Reed stated that he wouldn’t change his ways. Reed stated that he is satisfied with the work he did. “no regrets” He did not play in the NFL to make a name for himself. He just wanted to see positive change.

Crazy part is that in all honestly, I’d do it again. I have no regrets,” Reed said. “Why? Because the way the world is set up that was one of my ways out as a young African American man and it still is and I’d do it again. However, I must have it in my contracts so that you can die and that your insurance covers all of that.

— Ed Reed

Hamlin’s injury continues to advance discussions about what the business of football should look like. Reed is now joining the conversation.

These are his full comments:

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases