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          NFL Nation

          Cam Newton, Eric Reid make statements with their cleats

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterDec 18, 2018, 12:41 AM
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              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
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          CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton said this week it was "disrespectful" that he was sent a broom after the New Orleans Saints swept the Carolina Panthers in three games last season.

          The Carolina quarterback on Monday night had a picture of a broken broom on the side of his cleats for the latest rendition of the Panthers-Saints rivalry -- and as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" program that allows players to wear specially designed cleats for one game.


          The other cleat offered a reminder that Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan sent Newton a bottle of wine after the sweep. The message read, "Get Back, Vineyards of N.C. #1 Reserve."

          Newton was clear that Jordan sent the wine but unclear on who sent the broom. He was certain, however, that if the Panthers beat the Saints twice in the final three games this season, he would send the broom -- which has been hanging in his locker all season -- back to the person who sent it.

          Panthers safety Eric Reid, whose decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice has gained national attention, on Monday paid tribute to the history of protests with his cleats.

          Reid had his cleat design built around the words, "If not us, who? If not now, when?"

          On one side of the cleats is a man holding a sign against his chest that reads, "I know my rights." On the other side is a man holding a sign above his head that states, "My rights."

          The cleats go on to list in handwritten form 10 rights. On the toe of one is the message, "Know Your Rights Camp." It is a reference to a campaign founded by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to raise awareness on high education, self-empowerment and instructions on how to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios.

          Reid, while previously playing with the 49ers, was the first player to join Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem in 2016 as a protest to social protest and police brutality.

          Both players earlier this year filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, claiming the league and team owners colluded to keep them from playing. Kaepernick remains unemployed. Reid was signed by Carolina in late September after starting free safety Da'Norris Searcy was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion in a month.

          Reid has not withdrawn his grievance.