The National Football League has been gaining widespread attention in mainstream media, but not because of the events of Sunday’s games. Pro-football player Colin Kaepernick has filed a grievance under the most recent collective bargaining agreement against the NFL team owners, claiming that they have been colluding against him, which has prevented him from signing to a team. Kaepernick is notorious for his actions taken during the playing of the national anthem during a football game in the 2016 preseason. He was the first pro-player to begin the kneeling trend; his was inspired to bring awareness to the cause of police brutality against African Americans.

Last March, Kaepernick decided to not sign again with the 49ers. He has been a free agent ever since, remaining unsigned by any team. The quarterback believes the grievance was filed partially in response to President Donald Trump’s comments referencing protesting players; Kaepernick is making a case for the fact that players should not be fired or prevented from being signed for such protests, nonetheless be punished.

The NFL is not representing Kaepernick in this case. Kaepernick has chosen to be represented by an outside attorney, Mark Geragos, not the NFL Players Association; the NFLPA has given their support to Kapernick although they are not legally representing him. The filing has demanded an arbitration hearing, testing, “…have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick’s leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States,” in reference to team owners. This complaint was sent individually to all 32 teams. Kaepernick also took to Twitter, stating that this grievance was his last option after attempting to pursue other solutions.

Kaepernick’s grievance has taken center-stage in sports media due to its proximity and relevance to the kneeling protests in which President Trump condemned protesters for their actions during the national anthem.