Colin Kaepernick Files Grievance Claiming NFL Owners ‘Punished’ Him

Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback whose game-day protests against police brutality earned the wrath of President Trump, has filed a grievance against the National Football League alleging that team owners have colluded against him. In a statement Sunday by Mark Geragos, Kaepernick's attorney, the former San Francisco 49er says athletes who engage in peaceful protest “should not be punished” for the move. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March and has not yet been picked up by another team. The statement also appears to take a jab at Trump, saying protesting athletes should not be denied employment due to “partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government.” Kaepernick ignited a nationwide debate on police brutality and racism last year by taking a knee during the national anthem, a move that inspired other athletes to join in. Trump slammed the protests for “disrespecting our country” and last month called for NFL players who take a knee to be fired.