NFLPA file grievances on behalf of Eric Reid

The NFLPA filed two grievance cases against the league Monday on the behalf of free agent safety Eric Reid over his employment status.

Reid remains unsigned after his rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers  expired in March. Last week, Reid filed a separate collusion grievance against the league, alleging owners have blackballed him for kneeling during the national anthem.

The player’s union filed a “non-injury grievance” and a “system arbitrator case.”

In a statement, the NFLPA said:

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.

These cases were filed based upon the following:

- There is no League rule that prohibits players from demonstrating during the national anthem.

- The NFL has made it clear both publicly and to the NFLPA that they would respect the rights of players to demonstrate.

- The Collective Bargaining Agreement definitively states that League (NFL) rules supersede any conflicting club rules.

- According to our information, 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, which is contrary to the League policy.

- At least one club owner has asked pre-employment interview questions about a player’s intent to demonstrate. We believe these questions are improper, given League policy.”

For his collusion case, Reid hired lawyer Mark Geragos, who also represents Colin Kaepernick in the quarterback’s collusion grievance against the NFL.

Reid and Kaepernick are friends, as well as former teammates, and have been outspoken about racial inequality. 

In April, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown reportedly asked Reid in a free agent meeting whether the safety plans to stand for the anthem next season. The question, Pro Football Talk, took Reid by surprise.

Reid, 26, started 69 of his 70 games for the 49ers. He was drafted in the first round in 2013.