Free agent Eric Reid files a collusion grievance against the NFL

Eric Reid, the first player to kneel with Colin Kaepernick spanning back to 2016, is filing a collusion grievance with the NFL, ESPN reported and a source confirmed to SB Nation.

On Monday, the NFL Players Association made it official and announced the grievance:

The grievance alleges a team “appears to have made its decision not to sign a player based on the player’s statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club’s policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to league policy.” The NFLPA says even asking about Reid’s intent to demonstrate is improper.

A grievance through the NFLPA is the same method Kaepernick, his former teammate, used to begin last season. Depositions for Kaepernick’s case have been ongoing all year. Reid, a Pro Bowl-caliber safety, will use the same lawyer as Kaepernick for the collusion case: Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. The grievance will require an arbitration hearing.

The legal team for Reid and Kaepernick released a statement following the grievance filing:

“Colin and Eric have taken courageous action at the expense of their professional careers and personal lives. They did these selfless acts because they wanted to shine light on inequity and oppression. Today they welcome all NFL Players who have joined in the prosecution of the NFL for their conspiracy and illegal acts. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the NFLPA in our fight for justice, equality and inalienable rights of all Americans”

The NFL Player’s Association replied to a question last week about Reid’s grievance with a statement:

“Our union is aware that Eric Reid and his legal representatives filed a collusion claim, which will be heard through the arbitration process as spelled out in our collective bargaining agreement. Our union supports Eric and we are considering other legal options to pursue.”

Reid, 26, has gone throughout the current offseason without offers from teams to play. He’s said during the offseason that interest from NFL clubs was wavering due to his vocal opposition of police brutality in America and because of his kneeling practices. Teams contacted Reid’s agent in March but team visits and interest didn’t appear to be there. Reid had a visit planned with the Bengals this spring but the team reportedly wanted Reid not to kneel if he were to be signed.

The former first-round pick told Nola.com in March he was unafraid to sacrifice his NFL career for the principles he has laid out in the last two seasons.

“I am not afraid of it [the end of his career],” Reid told The Times-Picayune after the end of last season. “But I understand that it’s a possibility.”