Category: Saints on Social Media

Shaquille O’Neal on his experience as a guest at Saints team meeting

Drew Brees apologized for his insensitive comments to his New Orleans Saints teammates during a group meeting with Shaquille O’Neal on hand.

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The New Orleans Saints didn’t plan to hold a team meeting on Drew Brees’ divisive comments this week, but it worked out so that they were able to hash things out internally anyway.

Having scheduled a group conference call two weeks ago with NBA legend and LSU Tigers great Shaquille O’Neal in attendance as a guest speaker, Brees was able to apologize eye-to-eye for his condemning of hypothetical peaceful protests during the national anthem before NFL games later this year.

And while the Saints intend to keep further conversations private within the organization, O’Neal was able to shed light on those discussions in an appearance on TNT.

“I was on the call today when Drew apologized to his teammates, and most of his teammates accepted his apology,” O’Neal said. They said, ‘Drew, we knew your character. We knew you stepped into some stuff that you can’t get out of. But guess what? We want you to do more, more positive things and less talking.’ And they all said, ‘We accept your apology.’”

O’Neal specified that one of the first players to speak up was veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins — someone who has known Brees as a friend and teammate for nearly a decade, and who shared several videos on Instagram reflecting on Brees’ perspective and misinterpretation of the gestures as criticisms of America’s military rather than actions protesting police brutality.

You can find O’Neal’s takeaway in the video embedded below:

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Watch: Michael Thomas coordinates emotional video against racial inequality

Michael Thomas joined his New Orleans Saints teammate Marshon Lattimore and some of the brightest young stars in the NFL for a video asking the league to take a stand against systemic racism, inequality, and police brutality against black men that …

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Michael Thomas joined his New Orleans Saints teammate Marshon Lattimore and some of the brightest young stars in the NFL for a video asking the league to take a stand against systemic racism, inequality, and police brutality against black men that look just like them. And ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Thomas was a key figure in organizing it.

Thomas spoke first in the video by stating, “It’s been 10 days since George Floyd was brutally murdered. What if I was George Floyd?” A list of players including Patrick Mahomes, Ezekiel Elliott, Odell Beckham Jr., and Tyrann Mathieu followed up by asking the same question, highlighting a list of victims killed during arrests or while in police custody.

It’s a passionate tribute towards a situation that has obviously weighed heavily on their minds. Thomas publicly sparred with Saints quarterback Drew Brees after Brees criticized peaceful protests from supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement, but later thanked Brees for apologizing and encouraged others to stay focused on creating real change for the better.

See it for yourself:

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Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas respond to Drew Brees’ statements

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas reacted to Drew Brees’ apology for speaking out against police brutality protests.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees caught heat for his comments on peaceful protests against police brutality from a Wednesday interview, following up with a public apology early Thursday morning.

It’s a start, but stronger actions should be expected from Brees to back up his words. While ESPN’s Diana Russini reports that the Saints plan to keep further dialogue in-house — having used the opportunity of a pre-scheduled Thursday team meeting to talk things out among themselves — Brees’ apology was accepted by teammates like Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan.

Others later chimed in, including two of Brees’ most-prominent weapons on offense: Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Thomas kept his thoughts on the topic brief, but he’s pleased with where he and his quarterback stand now:

Kamara took a little more time to meditate on the situation. He was one of several Saints players to reach out to Brees privately, and he seemed satisfied with how they both left that conversation:

Still, Kamara later used the spotlight put on him to reflect at length on his experience as a young black man in America. We’ve embedded an excerpt below, but his full thoughts are very much worth your time:

Hopefully the Saints were able to weld their fractured locker room back together after the face of the franchise alienated many of his teammates. It’s early, but signs are positive so far. With thoughtful coworkers like Kamara, Thomas, Davis, and Jordan around him, Brees’ eyes should be opened a little wider to a different perspective.

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Watch: Demario Davis reacts to Drew Brees’ apology on CNN

New Orelans Saints linebacker Demario Davis thanked Drew Brees for admitting he was wrong in an apology for comments on peaceful protests.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees stepped into a minefield during a Wednesday interview with Yahoo Finance, criticizing possible peaceful protests during the national anthem as an affront to the American flag and armed forces. The reaction from his peers, teammates, and fans was fiery enough that Brees issued a follow-up apology on Thursday, which you can read here.

One important leader on the team was quick to thank Brees for the gesture. Linebacker Demario Davis was in the process of sharing an on-air interview with CNN when Brees’ statement went up, and he was grateful to see Brees admit that he was in the wrong. It also earned appreciation from defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Still, there’s a lot of work to be done before Brees can solve the division he created in the Saints locker room and the NFL at large. Much of that can be accomplished during the offseason through conversations with his teammates, but actions will speak louder. Like Brees, Davis has been a leader of the team — so much so that he took over for Brees in delivering pregame speeches while the quarterback was on the mend last year. His influence could do a lot to help everyone find common ground.

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Drew Brees issues apology after public backlash from current, former teammates

Drew Brees apologized to his New Orleans Saints teammates, fans, and community after a controversial Yahoo interview on NFL anthem protests.

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Drew Brees drew fiery reactions for his comments on potential peaceful protests during the national anthem before NFL games, largely from his own teammates. Appearing in an interview with Yahoo’s Daniel Roberts, Brees reiterated the same stance he shared back in 2017 on protests against police brutality, interpreting those actions as disrespecting the American flag and military.

It got ugly after that. Enough so that Marques Colston, the “Quiet Storm” himself, shared two pages of thoughts from his official Twitter account. Malcolm Jenkins posted several videos on Instagram criticizing Brees for being obtuse and missing the point. Former teammates like Lance Moore expressed their disappointment, while Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Cameron Jordan also went after Brees. The team’s most important leader divided the locker room.

It quickly spread beyond the Saints’ corner of Twitter. LeBron James ripped Brees, too, posting a series of statements emphasizing that, “Wrong is wrong!” Wendell Pierce spoke at length about his father’s experience as a veteran who fought systemic racism in New Orleans after World War II.

Some of Brees’ upcoming opponents rallied against him, with Green Bay Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith circling his Week 3 game against Brees and the Saints on his calendar.

So Brees moved quickly on Thursday to clarify where he stands on these issues. He put out a lengthy statement on Instagram (which we’ve embedded below; you can also find it at this link) apologizing for the hurt he caused and the division that he caused. It’s a start, but meaningful actions will do more to mend fences. At least it impressed Demario Davis, who reacted in real time while giving an interview to CNN. See it for yourself:

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I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday. In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused. In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country. They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character. This is where I stand: I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today. I acknowledge 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. I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement. I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right. I have ALWAYS been an ally, never an enemy. I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability. I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening…and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen. For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.

A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees) on

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Sean Payton, Saints players raise their voices for social justice

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and many of his players commented on the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and police brutality.

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Nationwide protests erupted in recent days following the death of George Floyd, a black Minnesota resident whose murder in police custody was captured in a viral video. This was the latest incident in a string of killings from around the country, including the death of Breonna Taylor, a Kentucky woman who was shot by Louisville police officers in her home. The marches and sit-ins have drawn violent reactions from local governments in many cities, spurring riots and more instances of police brutality.

It’s something that has resonated with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and many of his players. As public figures, they’ve used their platforms to comment on the unrest as it’s intensified and helped raise awareness of issues important to them.

Payton shared photographs of Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, a black jogger who was recently murdered on camera in Georgia, from his official Twitter account while asking how many deaths were not captured on video, without witnesses — allowing the perpetrators to go unpunished. He added a reminder that change is possible in 22 weeks on Election Day.

Several of Payton’s players responded to his message with enthusiasm — Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara among them. Thomas also shared photographs from the 2020 protests as well as 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, drawing a connection between America’s struggles in the present and those of its past.

Payton has been critical of President Donald Trump in the past, speaking out against the President’s divisive comments after some Saints players joined pregame protests during the 2017 season. It’s a topic in which he found common ground with Cameron Jordan, who also questioned the President’s decisions in this crisis:

Thomas Morstead, another leader of the Saints locker room, took time to explore ways in which he could help his community while imploring his teammates to do the same.

 

Morstead and Payton each took part in the “Blackout Tuesday” trend, sharing blank, black images to show solidarity with the movement protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Justin Hardee and Drew Brees also joined them:

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Demario Davis contributed to a USA Today opinion article and spoke at length with Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. Other Saints players also weighed in, like C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alex Anzalone:

Longtime Saints running back Mark Ingram called attention to the death of Louisville, Ky. restaurant owner David McAtee, who was killed in the street while protesting Taylor’s murder.

And former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham encouraged his fans and Twitter followers to support local organizations working in social justice initiatives. Graham’s one-time teammate, Benjamin Watson, contextualized the problems facing America today:

Other Saints took a more direct approach. Malcolm Jenkins, a resident of Philadelphia during his six-year Eagles career, marched with protesters in several peaceful demonstrations:

Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a statement decrying Floyd’s death, as well as other victims of policy brutality. She also announced the creation of the Social Justice Leadership Coalition, in which she is committing resources to work in local communities in a partnership with Davis and New Orleans Pelicans players Lonzo Ball and J.J. Reddick:

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Sean Payton saw a lot to like of ‘Florida Tom Brady’ in disastrous golf outing

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton had to laugh at Tom Brady’s poor play in a celebrity golf match with Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods.

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Many viewers turned into Sunday’s high-profile celebrity golf match featuring Peyton Manning (and Tiger Woods) against Tom Brady (with Phil Mickelson) expecting a clash of the titans, with the pros setting the pace for two accomplished amateurs.

Instead, the Manning-Woods duo won the day with a runaway lead, with Mickelson doing his best to carry Brady as he struggled with the elements at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla. And of course Manning was quick on the trigger with trash talk as Brady floundered.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton also got in on the ribbing. Watching from home, Payton saw Brady’s slow start as an opportunity to joke about the Florida version of Brady, which moved with far less poise than the established New England model.

Even Brady’s highlights came with a fall from grace. After making the shot of the day on the seventh hole, scoring birdie from maybe 150 yards out, he immediately followed up splitting his pants when retrieving the ball.

Thankfully, one enterprising Saints fan was quick to offer a patch for the six-time Super Bowl winner:

We’ll see soon if Brady’s difficulties adjusting to life in Florida carry over to the football field. But if nothing else, it’s great to see that the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is mortal.

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Drew Brees wants to play the winner of Tom Brady-Peyton Manning golf matchup

Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson are golfing with Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods. Drew Brees and Sergio Garcia want to play the winning duo.

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Tom Brady and Peyton Manning played against each other often in their long NFL careers, so it’s only natural that they will cross paths again during a high-profile charity golf matchup for charity. While Brady has paired up with legendary golfer Phil Mickelson, Manning teamed up with the sport’s icon, Tiger Woods. It’s shaping up for a star-studded afternoon at “The Match: Champions for Charity” at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.

And Drew Brees wants to play the winner, offering an opportunity to settle which of the three quarterbacks is the greatest out on the greens. He’s bringing backup, too, by volunteering his cousin-in-law Sergio Garcia (the 2017 Masters Tournament champion) to join him. That’s what Brees wrote from his official Instagram account, wishing Brady and Manning well in their efforts at raising money for a charitable cause.

With golf clubs and courses reopening around the country after closures related to the coronavirus pandemic, more celebrity games like this figure to become more common. And it would be fun to see how Brees compares to the quarterbacks whose records he’s broken in football, even if Manning has had a few extra years of practice in retirement. Hopefully the pros take it easy on them.

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Watch: Ty Montgomery shares practice field highlight reel

New Orleans Saints running back Ty Montgomery has a background in playing wide receiver, which is reflected in his practice highlight reel.

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Ty Montgomery might be listed as a running back, but his biggest contributions to the New Orleans Saints figure to come through the air. He’s an accomplished pass-catcher whose NFL career began as a wide receiver (which is reflected in his jersey number), even if he struggled to get into rhythm in recent years when paired with inexperienced passers like then-rookie Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. He and every other pass-catcher took a step back under New York Jets playcaller Adam Gase last season.

Still, the Saints have to hope that Montgomery will be able to make the most of his touches (if he ends up earning any at all). He has the skills set to back up Alvin Kamara’s role in the offense, allowing number-two running back Latavius Murray to play at his best as more of a downhill runner. If Kamara has to miss time again, the Saints would probably prefer Montgomery running his routes and moving around the formation rather than Murray.

And that appears to be what Montgomery is preparing for. The 27-year-old shared a highlight reel of bright moments from a recent training session on his official Twitter account, showing a nice ability to adjust to off-target passes. That’s not something he should expect to happen often when paired with Drew Brees, but it’s always good to be prepared.

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Watch: Emmanuel Sanders putting in work with personal WR coach

The New Orleans Saints canceled most of their offseason due to the coronavirus, prompting Emmanuel Sanders to seek out a private WR coach.

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The New Orleans Saints decided to not hold a virtual offseason in light of the coronavirus pandemic, with coach Sean Payton instead telling his players to take care of their families and to show up for training camp in the best shape of their lives.

Emmanuel Sanders is one player who took those instructions to heart. The veteran wide receiver has been training with David Robinson, a private coach and kinesiology specialist who has helped propel talents like Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, and Sanders himself to All-Pro seasons. Robinson also worked with Bryant last summer in preparation for his NFL comeback, but a late-career Achilles injury chilled any interest he might have received.

It’s good to see that Sanders is taking this strange offseason seriously. He recently appeared on a conference call with Saints season-ticket holders to preview his first year in black and gold, noting that his rookie year was kind of similar due to the NFL lockout surrounding CBA negotiations. He’s no stranger to putting in the time and effort on his own to help his team.

Sanders has averaged 4.2 receptions and 54.8 receiving yards per game in his 10-year NFL career. If he can achieve anything close to that level of production in New Orleans, the city might rename the old Lee Circle for him. It’s been a long time since the Saints fielded such a strong one-two punch at wide receiver between Sanders and Michael Thomas.

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