By Perry Green, AFRO Sports Editor
It looks like the NFL’s owners will be facing another grievance suit alleging collusion, this time filed by Colin Kaepernick’s former teammate Eric Reid.
According to TMZ Sports, Reid has decided to follow Kaepernick’s lead in suing the league for alleged collusion, as both players remain unsigned following their decision to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racism in the U.S.
Former NFL quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick receives the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2018 from Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty, and colleague Eric Reid, left, in Amsterdam, Saturday April 21, 2018. Kaepernick became a controversial figure when refusing to stand for the national anthem, instead he knelt to protest racial inequality and police brutality. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Kaepernick first filed his suit against the NFL last year after going the entire 2017 season without being signed. Reid played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, but his contract expired after the season and he has yet to be signed despite being a Pro Bowl safety in the prime of his career at age 26. Bleacher Report ranked Reid as the 10th best safety in the entire league.
Reid’s suit apparently cites President Donald Trump as being a motivating factor behind the league’s owners alleged collusion against him. Per TMZ, Reid claims that the owners were intimidated by Trump, who blasted the NFL for not penalizing players for kneeling. An audio recording of a private meeting between owners surfaced a week ago and may provide the evidence Reid needs to support his claim of Trump intimidation.
“Our union is aware that Eric Reid and his legal representatives filed a collusion claim, which will be heard through the arbitration process as spelled out in our collective bargaining agreement,” the NFL Players Association said in a statement released to the media. “Our union supports Eric and we are considering other legal options to pursue.”
