Trump influence a central part of Kaepernick’s legal complaint against NFL: report

President Trump’s influence is reportedly a key piece of Colin Kaepernick’s collusion grievance against NFL owners.

Kaepernick is claiming Trump’s rhetoric is part of the reason he is not on a team this year, CBS Sports reported.

Sources told the news outlet that Kaepernick’s case may put focus on Trump’s tweets and comments.

Kaepernick and his attorneys are accusing NFL teams of displaying “unusual and bizarre behavior” during the 2017 off-season, according to the court documents.

“Multiple NFL head coaches and general managers stated that they wanted to sign Mr. Kaepernick, only to mysteriously go silent with no explanation and no contract offer made to Mr. Kaepernick,” the complaint reads.

“Other NFL teams stated they had no interest in Mr. Kaepernick and refused to explain why.”

According to CBS Sports, Kaepernick could claim that NFL owners had an “implied” agreement based on Trump’s messages.

Trump last month attacked players who kneel during the national anthem. The president later called for the league to implement a rule forcing players to stand during the anthem, accusing them of disrespecting the flag.

Many players and owners have spoken out against the president’s remarks. Multiple players have since kneeled during the national anthem at their games.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback wasn’t signed to a team in the off-season after opting out of his contract with the 49ers in March. He has yet to receive a contract to play for a new team several weeks into the 2017 NFL season.

Kaepernick was the first NFL player to begin kneeling during the national anthem last season. The quarterback took a knee in protest of police brutality and the mistreatment of minorities in America. Other players later joined him in kneeling or raising a fist during the anthem.