Colin Kaepernick took a huge risk when he decided to #TakeTheKnee and protest against police brutality, essentially sacrificing his NFL career to advance the cause of social justice.

The former 49ers quarterback hasn't been signed to another NFL team since departing the team in March. 

Recently, the current free agent took legal action and filed a grievance under a collective bargaining agreement, alleging NFL owners colluded against to ensure he would not receive an NFL contract.

Now, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen and San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York, among others, have been summoned for depositions, according to ESPN. The NFL team owners have been asked to turn over their cell phone and email records as part of the investigation into the alleged collusion.

These owners, and the others expected to be called for a second round of depositions, were called on due to their public statements surrounding Kaepernick or the sideline protests, in general, according to ABC News.

Kaepernick's attorney Mark Geragos confirmed that the grievance filing demands an arbitration hearing, and claims that the owners "have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick's leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States."

The NFL Player's Association has extended an offer to help Kaepernick "as we do all players," but Kaep decided to forgo their aid and to hire Geragos instead.

In happier news: happy birthday, Colin Kaepernick!