Colin Kaepernick files grievance against NFL owners, and blames Trump

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has retained a lawyer and filed a grievance claim saying that NFL owners colluded to keep him from being signed to a team. He also blamed Trump for their actions in a statement from his lawyer.

What does the grievance say?

Kaepernick's lawyer, Mark Geragos, confirmed in a statement Sunday that they had filed a grievance over his social justice activism.

"We can confirm that this morning we filed a grievance under the CBA on behalf of Colin Kaepernick," the statement read. "This was done only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.

"If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy," the statement continued, "then principled and peaceful political protest -- which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago -- should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our goverment [sic]."

The statement appeared to be referring to the comments made by President Trump decrying Kaepernick as a "son of a b**ch" at a rally in September.

"Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest dyas [sic] as a nation," the statement continued. "Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr. Kaepernick to file his grievance."

Is there a reason to believe teams colluded against Kaepernick?

There is no public evidence that teams actively colluded to keep Kaepernick from playing this season. While some have noted angrily that his skill level exceeds that of some backup quarterbacks and even some starting quarterbacks, others excuse coaches for ignoring Kaepernick to avoid the drama and politics associated with his name.