While Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said he was willing to listen and learn as the protests over the murder of George Floyd continue, Saints QB Drew Brees is showing that he’s still willfully ignorant.
Floyd’s death has reminded people of the peaceful protest Colin Kaepernick started in response to the killing of unarmed black individuals by the police back in 2016. Kaepernick’s decision to kneel for the national anthem was one of the most controversial stories in all of sports over the past five years. However, his message was high-jacked and politicized.
Instead of listening to Kaepernick, many — including Brees — chose to perceive the protest as disrespecting the American flag. Brees’ previous anti-kneeling comments resurfaced and when asked about it, New Orleans’ quarterback doubled down.
Highlight: @readdanwrite asks @drewbrees what the star NFL quarterback thinks about "players kneeling again when the NFL season starts."@drewbrees: “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.”
Full exchange: pic.twitter.com/MpCkFyOMed
— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) June 3, 2020
And, as you would expect, Brees got roasted on Twitter from fans, athletes, analysts and players, including some of Brees’ teammates. Many were critical of his stance considering the current state of the country. Let’s look at some of that backlash over the past 24 hours.
We don’t care if you don’t agree and whoever else how about that.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) June 3, 2020
Be a better ally…
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 3, 2020
WOW MAN!! 🤦🏾♂️. Is it still surprising at this point. Sure isn’t! You literally still don’t understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee?? Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of 🇺🇸 and our soldiers(men and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those https://t.co/pvUWPmh4s8
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020
— Marques Colston (@MarquesColston) June 3, 2020
I could’ve easily got on social media and attacked @drewbrees yesterday. His comments were extremely insensitive, dismissive, and flat out disappointing. Knowing him personally and his character I decided not to do so, and addressed things internally….
— Terron Armstead (@T_Armstead72) June 4, 2020
“It has NEVER been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. Not now.”
THANK YOU for speaking truth for the oppresssed and unheard.
THANK YOU for understanding the WHY. @AaronRodgers12 🙏🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/khGyOSF2wL— Mark Ingram II (@markingram21) June 3, 2020
I recorded a few videos when thinking of how to respond to Drew Brees, I don’t take any of it back-I meant what I said-I removed the 1st video because I knew it be more about the headlines. I want people to understand how those of us struggling with what’s going on feel pic.twitter.com/T054qt0YEz
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) June 3, 2020
Damn drew hurt me with that one🤦🏾♂️!!
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) June 3, 2020
@drewbrees SMH. You represent New Orleans Louisiana. Don’t ever forget that! #Bottomofthemap
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) June 3, 2020
Drew Brees should probably retire pic.twitter.com/61nuI7jjys
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) June 4, 2020
PSA: Kneeling during the national anthem had nothing to do with the military or flag, and everything to do with systemic racism and racial injustice. https://t.co/ViPR8pU4AQ
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) June 3, 2020
.@WhoopiGoldberg coming through with a message for Drew Brees and anyone else that has a problem with peope kneeling during the national anthem! 💯✊🏽 #blacklifematters #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wZiN1FRZo2
— BET (@BET) June 4, 2020
Brees would apologize on Thursday morning, saying he was sorry to anyone he had hurt with his comments.
An apology from #Saints QB Drew Brees: pic.twitter.com/iwxbC6FsNu
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) June 4, 2020
But for many, the damage was already done and his apology is too little, too late.
This DEEP! Food for thought & Drew Brees was one of my favorites until now… Keep the fake apologies. https://t.co/eTAjfPxkoZ
— Tee (@1TMurda_) June 4, 2020
Drew Brees walking in to the locker room like pic.twitter.com/bycvvz1InG
— Carlton (@SlopingGiraffe) June 4, 2020
Drew Brees still won't go back on his previous statement and admit that the peaceful kneeling by NFL players had nothing to do with the American flag.
That was the center issue for most criticizing him yesterday and he didn't go back on it in his apology post. https://t.co/UQmFHooJ3F
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 4, 2020
Interesting that Drew Brees has this “nice” apology now but yesterday he was NOT deviating from his comments. When people SHOW you who they are…BELIEVE them! #DrewBreesIsCancelled
— OhVonda (@OhVonda) June 4, 2020
Live look at Drew Brees apology pic.twitter.com/KnqamrUrPX
— Brian Tulloch (@2lockSports) June 4, 2020
Drew Brees should have had Taysom Hill come in to make the apology because Brees can’t provide anything deep. https://t.co/C6Gph6HJrN
— Quarantinedoholic Matt (@FalcoholicMatt) June 4, 2020
Some Saints teammates accepted Brees’ apology, though, including Demario Davis and Craig Robertson.
Top two people recognizing (and seemingly approving) Drew Brees’ apology: Demario Davis and Craig Robertson, both leaders inside the Saints locker room. pic.twitter.com/uDL1gWNsAw
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) June 4, 2020
JUST NOW: "For him to admit that he was wrong.. I think that is leadership at its finest."
New Orleans @Saints linebacker @demario__davis reacts to hearing @dreabrees' apology in real time. pic.twitter.com/ynY2Ssy6je
— Alli Hedges Maser (@AllisonLHedges) June 4, 2020
Damage control can only do so much at this point, and since Brees is 41 years old, you would think he’d be aware of the type of reaction there would be.
And while it’s noble of Brees — or his public relations people — to admit he made a mistake, however, one has to wonder how this incident will affect the Saints’ locker room in 2020.
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