The NFL players proposed a mediated meeting with the owners over anthem protests and Colin Kaepernick reportedly wants to attend
- NFL players have requested another meeting with the league to discuss ongoing protests.
- Colin Kaepernick, who has filed a grievance against the league accusing its owners of collusion, has also been invited to the meeting.
- The parties could potentially meet as soon as next week.
Colin Kaepernick might come face to face with NFL officials as soon as this month.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, NFL players who have been protesting police brutality, systemic racism, and other social issues during the national anthem have requested a formal mediation session with the league and invited Kaepernick to attend.
The players have already invited Kaepernick to attend the potential meeting, with Kaepernick agreeing "as a sign of respect to the players' efforts and beliefs."
Should the meeting take place, it would be Kaepernick's first time interacting with league representatives since his ongoing free agency began. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers at the end of last season and planned to find a role with another NFL team, but still finds himself without a job despite a slew of quarterback injuries around the league and his reported eagerness to play. In October, Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance accusing NFL owners of collusion, a case that is still waiting to play out.
The NFL has yet to respond to the request, but should they agree to the meeting, the two parties could come together as soon as the week of November 13.
While player representatives met with selected owners and league officials in recent weeks, the proposed mediation would provide for a more formal setting for the groups to meet and discuss the ongoing protests. The outcome of the meeting would not be binding, but could be overseen by a retired judge or independent lawyer.