CALL HIM COLIN KASH-ERNIC
SETTLES ANTHEM FLAP WITH NFL
In the end, the NFL bowed to the players who kneeled.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid announced Friday they reached a surprise settlement in their collusion complaints against the National Football League.
“For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL,” they said in a joint statement with the NFL.
“As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances,” the statement said.
“The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party,” it said.
The settlement was reached after an arbitrator said last year there was enough evidence to strike down a league request to dismiss the case — and as NFL figures faced more depositions and a looming public hearing.
One expert said Kaepernick likely pocketed a super-sized payday.
Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman tweeted that a number of “NFL team officials” told him they believe the league paid Kaepernick “in the $60 to $80 million range.”
Kaepernick, 31, filed his grievance in 2017 alleging collusion to keep him out of the league.
He had played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers but opted out of his contract and became a free agent in 2017. He then found no team would sign him despite his credentials as a successful starting quarterback.
He alleged he was the victim of retaliation because he began kneeling during the national anthem to draw attention to racism and police brutality.
His lawyer Mark Geragos filed the grievance.
Reid, who played with Kaepernick on the 49ers, was the first player to join Kaepernick in kneeling during the anthem.
He filed a grievance as well, alleging NFL power-brokers influenced by President Trump colluded against him