Drew Brees appeared on an interview with Yahoo Financial where he was asked how he thinks the National Anthem protests may make their way back into NFL games given the current climate and recent events of police brutality in the country.
Brees answered by saying he can never “agree” with someone who kneels in protest which sent social media into a firestorm that got as far as fans burning his jersey and chanting his name in vain in the streets of New Orleans.
Daniel Roberts asked New Orleans #Saints QB @DrewBrees what he thinks about "players kneeling"
Brees responded “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag”#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #Protests2020 #Riots2020 #GoSaints #NFL
pic.twitter.com/HQMfYLA9Xf— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) June 3, 2020
The comments drew harsh criticism from a number of people, including his teammate Malcolm Jenkins, who said he was hurt by Brees’ comments and that they were “extremely self-centered.”
On Thursday morning, the Saints QB issues a lengthy apology for his comments.
New Orleans #Saints QB Drew Brees has apologized for his comments yesterday regarding kneeling that received so much criticism#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #Protests #Protests2020 #Riots2020 #USA #USARevolt
pic.twitter.com/ia91JIeY99— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) June 4, 2020
Brees continued to say he stands with the black community “in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality” while supporting the creation of real policy change.
He also condemned the years of oppression the black community has faced — and continues to face. And he acknowledged that “we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community.”
Saints linebacker Demario Davis credited Brees for issuing the apology, calling it a form of true leadership.
This article was written citing information and media from the AP and Drew Brees. For more sports, news and entertainment follow the Midwest Sports Network on Twitter @MWSNsports or like MWSN on Facebook.
