Colin Kaepernick Has Settled His Lawsuit With The NFL & Gotten Paid

Hours ago today (February 15), Colin Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid settled their grievance claims with the NFL. The attorney for both men, Mark Geragos, confirmed that a settlement was reached between the league and his clients. In doing so, the pair withdrew their grievance claims. That agreement reportedly comes in lieu of a trial, after Kaep’ (and later Reid) wanted the league and its 32 franchises investigated for colluding against them. The lawyer indicated that a confidential agreement prevents either party from discussing the terms of the settlement, including compensation.

The rift in the relationship between the then-San Francisco 49ers players and the league began in 2016, when Colin Kaepernick, and later teammates including Eric Reid, kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality, racial discrimination, and unarmed Black people being wrongfully killed at the hands of law enforcement, without justice or penalty. After their tenures in San Francisco, both athletes went unsigned by other franchises at the time of their claim filing. Reid, a safety, was later picked up by the Carolina Panthers during the 2018 season. That was the same year he filed, approximately six months after Kaepernick took action.

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The NFL Players Association released the following statement. “We continuously supported Colin [Kaepernick] and Eric [Reid] from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what they believe the NFL and its clubs did to them. We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well.”

Yahoo SportsCharles Robinson reports that a final hearing for the claims was planned later this month before an arbitrator. The settlement prevents that from happening. Robinson also notes that “sources previously said Kaepernick would only withdraw if a lucrative settlement was secured.”

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Thus, it is safe to assume that the former quarterback who has been out of work for more than 2 seasons, was paid handsomely by the league. Current estimates range as high as $60MM to $80MM.