The criticism of Drew Brees — after he told Yahoo “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country” when asked about NFL players kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem — continues to pour in from all corners, from current New Orleans Saints teammates to NFL players to LeBron James to New Orleans protesters.
The anger stems from Brees continuing to instant that protests led by Colin Kaepernick and others was about “disrespecting the flag” and not highlighting police violence against black people.
But there were a couple of voices who defended the quarterback. It started with former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, who noted to The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan that Brees “has done a lot to help black families and the black community in New Orleans” but still said he needs “a chance to think about what he said and come back and make this right.”
"I know Drew Brees. Drew has done a lot to help black families and the black community in New Orleans. If Drew Brees didn’t love black families and low-income families he wouldn’t have helped the way he has over the years. (contd.)"
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) June 4, 2020
"People that are criticizing him like LeBron James and other celebrities don’t know him. They need to check his resume. I love my race. And I love New Orleans to death. But I know Drew Brees. And Drew is a good person. (contd.)"
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) June 4, 2020
"And until you have walked beside him and gotten to know him, his wife and family, you definitely have to give him a pass on this one and allow Drew a chance to think about what he said and come back and make this right. And I know he will.”
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) June 4, 2020
Current Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport tweeted that although people don’t have to entirely agree with Brees, he wasn’t talking about the “current protest, the riots or anything besides HIS feelings on kneeling.”
Drew wasn’t talking about the current protest, the riots or really anything besides HIS feelings on kneeling during the National Anthem.He even explained what they were, the basis and that he actually stands with us. Do we have to entirely agree with him, no. https://t.co/KEkzqYj8HR
— Marcus Davenport (@MarcusJD84) June 3, 2020
I can see points in what my teammate was saying HIS connection to disrespecting the flag, I agree he should’ve said something on the current police brutality or the current injustices within our system but He spoke his connection to his patriotism.
— Marcus Davenport (@MarcusJD84) June 3, 2020
In that last tweet, Davenport did say Brees should have spoken about the protests and “current injustices,” which Brees touched on a bit to ESPN’s Mike Triplett later on Wednesday:
I asked Drew Brees about reiterating his stance on the anthem (and the backlash over doing so). More to come, but among his responses: "I love and respect my teammates and I stand right there with them in regards to fighting for racial equality and justice. I also stand with… https://t.co/fAxchR69ns
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) June 3, 2020
(Brees continued): "… my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other military men and women who do it on a daily basis." Will share his full response in a news story shortly. https://t.co/eZlRRiHZWz
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) June 3, 2020
Even if Brees was and continues talking about patriotism, it’s clear that he still didn’t understand why Colin Kaepernick and so many others knelt during the national anthem, and what so many people are fighting for and protesting over.
On Thursday morning, Brees posted this lengthy apology on Instagram in which he provided this clarification:
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.
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