Professional football was played today (October 15) and will be tomorrow, but not with Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback remains a free agent, without a team. However, Kaep’, who recently reminded fans that he wants to play, believes that the National Football League and owners of its 32 franchises have colluded against him because of his activism, including kneeling for national anthems at games during 2016.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” the onetime NFC champion and second-round draft pick said during his early demonstrations.

Colin and his attorney Mark Geragos confirmed filing a grievance on Sunday, only after reportedly “pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives.” According to The New York Times, [Colin Kaepernick’s] grievance will be heard by an arbitrator under the terms of the labor agreement between the union and the league.”

The filing apparently seeks an investigation above compensation. Following Colin’s protests, many signed and active players across the league have followed suit, with other pro sports—including baseball, hockey, and basketball following suit. Last month, the United States President decried those who kneel and urged owners to push back against kneelers and other demonstrators. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘get that son of a b*tch off the field right now. He’s fired,’” Donald Trump said. Between 1983 and 1985, Trump owned a pro team, the USFL’s New Jersey Generals.

During last week, Colin publicly praised Eminem’s 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards cypher, which devoted itself to calling out many elements of Trump’s presidency and character. In recent months, Kaepernick has been tied to strong voices in Rap, including longtime ally J. Cole, and Cole’s mentor, JAY-Z (who wore his #7 jersey while performing on SNL). The NFL Players Association also awarded Colin Kaepernick with “Community MVP” honors one month ago.

As Sunday sees Green Bay Packers star QB Aaron Rodgers out indefinitely with a reported broken collarbone, the need for NFL talent under center continues. That game’s broadcast suggested that Tony Romo, now a Monday Night Football announcer, may get a call. Whether in Green Bay or any of the 31 other teams, will Colin Kaepernick ever get the same courtesy?

#BonusBeat: A recent TBD episode examined how big media may have been ignoring impacts of an NFL TV boycott that relates to the very grievance Colin Kaepernick and his legal team are citing:

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