Colin Kaepernick sues NFL over ‘collusion’ not to hire him after race protest
Quarterback provoked national discussion with ‘take a knee’ protest but has been without a team since March
American football star Colin Kaepernick is suing the NFL over claims team owners “colluded” to not hire him following his now famous ‘take a knee’ protest against racial injustice.
Kaepernick was playing with the San Francisco 49ers when he first knelt during the national anthem in August last year. What started as a one-man demonstration against police brutality against African Americans has turned into a national movement that has divided the country and been targeted by US President Donald Trump. Last week, Vice-President Mike Pence walked out of a game in Indianapolis after some players knelt during the anthem.
However, while his protest has taken off, Kaepernick’s career has stalled and he has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Now he has decided to take legal action against what he sees as an coordinated plot to keep him off the field.
In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Kaepernick’s lawyers wrote: “If the NFL (as well as all professional sports leagues) is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful political protest - which the owners themselves made great theatre imitating weeks ago - should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment”.
“Such a precedent threatens all patriotic Americans and harkens back to our darkest days as a nation. Protecting all athletes from such collusive conduct is what compelled Mr Kaepernick to file his grievance” they added.
“Many feel Kaepernick has paid a high price for his political stance”, says BBC Radio 5 Live’s Richard Conway.
Despite injuries to quarterbacks such as Marcus Mariota at the Tennessee Titans he has had to watch on as others were given a trial and “it seems he’s grown tired of this situation and is now taking direct action”, says the sports correspondent.
Speaking to BBC Sport last week, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots said he had “never heard anyone talking about excluding” Kaepernick.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 sleeper hit cartoons about Trump's struggles to stay awake in court
Cartoons Artists take on courtroom tranquility, war on wokeness, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The true story of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
In depth The writer's fall from grace with his high-flying socialite friends in 1960s Manhattan is captured in a new Disney+ series
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Scottie Scheffler: victory for the 'pre-eminent golfer of this era'
Why Everyone's Talking About Masters victory is Scheffler's second in three years
By The Week Staff Published
-
How the NFL's new kickoff rules could change football
Under the Radar The play will resemble the kickoff structure seen in the much-smaller XFL
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The NFL's concussion settlement has seemingly failed its players
Under the Radar The league promised to pay players who had suffered brain trauma. Allegedly, it has not happened.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Swift-Kelce effect: a 'dream pairing' for the NFL
Why everyone's talking about Taylor Swift's appearance at the Chiefs vs. Bears game to see Travis Kelce added millions of TV viewers
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
NFL indefinitely suspends three players over gambling
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Super Bowl LVII: Chiefs beat Eagles 38-35
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Super Bowl LVII prepares for kickoff in Arizona
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Chiefs, Eagles make it to Super Bowl LVII
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Damar Hamlin home from hospital 9 days after collapsing on field
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published