NFL settles collusion cases with Kaepernick and Reid

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The NFL has decided to settle collusion cases brought by Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid with a public hearing looming and the threat of owners and league officials facing depositions.

The league has been facing criticism from all sides for a while thanks to the protest movement started by Kaepernick.

On Friday, the league and Kaepernick's lawyer issued statements that said “the parties have decided to resolve the pending grievances” and a confidentiality agreement would prevent either side from commenting further.

However, the statement hasn't clarified whether the NFL has accepted wrongdoing or any money was paid to Reid, Kaepernick or others.

Considering the lost salary both players claimed as well as legal costs, the settlement is expected to have climbed into the tens of millions of dollars.

From left, The San Francisco 49ers' Eli Harold (58), Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before their game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, October 2, 2016. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, Lebron James, power forward for Los Angeles Lakers, said about Kaepernick, "You've got a guy who basically lost his job because he wanted to stand for something that was more than just him. I'm happy to see the news come out yesterday that he won his suit. I hope it's a hell of a lot of money that can set not only him up but his family up, set his grandkids up for the rest of their lives."

"I hope the word of what he did will live on throughout American history but also world history because it's important for all of us, not only African Americans but for everybody that want to stand up for something more important than them."

Kaepernick, along with his former San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid, had earlier filed a lawsuit against the NFL saying owners and officials colluded to keep them off NFL rosters for their decision to make a kneeling protest during the U.S. anthem.

Reid signed a one-year deal as an injury replacement last season with the Carolina Panthers and on Thursday signed on the dotted line for a new three-year contract with the same club. But 31-year-old Kaepernick has been unemployed since pulling himself out of his contract in March 2017 and has already missed two full NFL campaigns.

(With input from agencies)