"Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has filed a federal lawsuit against the parent company of Champion athletic apparel over the brand's decision to end his endorsement deal after his controversial comments on Twitter.

Mendenhall filed the 23-page lawsuit Monday against HanesBrands Inc. in federal court in North Carolina and claims the company's decision to drop him is a breach of contract. He is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The back questioned the American public's joy after the death of Osama bin Laden and the events of Sept. 11 while tweeting in the days following the raid on the bin Laden compound in Pakistan.

"For Rashard, this is not really about the money. This is about his right to express his opinions," said Steven Thompson, a Chicago attorney representing Mendenhall. "It was a knee-jerk reaction to his thoughtful comments expressing an opinion that was shared by many Americans."

A spokesman for HanesBrands did not return a call for comment. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said the team would have no further comment on the matter. Team president Art Rooney II said in the days after the tweets that it was difficult to "even comprehend" what Mendenhall meant with his comments."