Kaepernick strikes deal with NFL over lawsuit
Former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, one of the most visible players to protest against racial injustice during the United States national anthem, and Eric Reid have settled their collusion lawsuits against the NFL.
The former San Francisco 49ers pair alleged in 2017 that team owners were colluding to prevent them from being signed in response to their protest, which took the form of kneeling during the singing of The Star-spangled Banner.
A statement issued by Kaepernick’s lawyers, as well as on nfl. com, read: “For the past several months, counsel for Mr Kaepernick and Mr Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representa- tives of the NFL. As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.”
Kaepernick, 31, began his protests in the 2016 pre-season, initially remaining on the team bench during the anthem before kneeling on the sideline, where he was soon joined by then teammate Reid.
Players throughout the league joined in with the protests during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with the movement intensifying after President Donald Trump called for protesting players to be “fired” and referred to them as “sons of b*****s”.
Kaepernick left the 49ers at the end of 2016 and has not played in the NFL since. Reid went unsigned in free agency ahead of the 2018 season, but was later snapped up by the Carolina Panthers.