NFLPA files two anthem protest claims
By admin - 2018-05-07 16:47:27

The NFL Players Association on Monday filed two claims on behalf of former 49ers safety Eric Reid, one of which claims that any team asking prospective signees about possible future protests of the national anthem are engaging in deceptive bargaining practices. The other filing is reportedly a non-injury grievance specific to Reid’s free-agent visits.

According to CBS Sports, both grievances are separate from the collusion grievance Reid’s attorney Mark Geragos  filed against the NFL last week.

“Prior to the start of the current NFL off-season, our Union directed the agents of free agent players who had participated in peaceful on-field demonstrations to collect, memorialize and report any relevant information about potential violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by teams,” the NFLPA said in a statement announcing the claims.

Although no names were used, The Player’s Union seemed to cite Reid’s free agent visit with Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown in April as evidence of its allegations, saying “a club appears to have based 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” and that “at least one club owner has asked preemployment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate.”

Brown reportedly told Reid , 26, that he plans to restrict players from protesting during the national anthem and then asked Reid for a response, which he declined to give. Reid left the meeting with no offer being made and has reportedly since come out accusing owners of preventing him from getting a fair contract to play football.