Colin Kaepernick has filed a lawsuit against NFL team owners he believes are conspiring not to hire him because of his protests against racial injustice.
Kaepernick, 29, has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March.
He first protested by sitting during the national anthem in August 2016, before opting to kneel instead.
Other players followed suit, and criticism from President Donald Trump this September saw the protests spread.
In a statement released on Sunday, Kaepernick's lawyers wrote: "We can confirm that this morning we filed a grievance under the CBA on behalf of Colin Kaepernick.
"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, 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.
"Colin Kaepernick's goal has always been, and remains, to simply be treated fairly by the league he performed at the highest level for and to return to the football playing field."
Latest Stories
-
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
3 hours -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
4 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
5 hours -
Contributors own SSNIT, they must decide who becomes its Director-General – Austin Gamey
6 hours -
Move away from theory-based learning towards practical learning approaches – AUCC President to students
6 hours -
Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest
7 hours -
Villas-Boas elected Porto president
7 hours -
Situation on frontline has worsened, Ukraine army chief says
7 hours -
US doctor describes witnessing starvation in northern Gaza
8 hours -
CAFCC: RS Berkane make final after USM Alger refused to play 2nd leg over Moroccans’ jersey
8 hours -
Elon Musk in China to discuss enabling full self driving
8 hours -
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
10 hours -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
10 hours -
Burkina Faso suspends BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over killings coverage
10 hours -
Nicole Kidman honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award
11 hours