New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has compiled an impressive Hall of Fame resume. He currently holds the records for the most career yards passing and passing touchdowns. Since joining the Saints in 2006, Brees has experienced an abundance of success. He’s led the Saints to multiple division titles, and a Super Bowl victory against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. Without question Brees is a proven winner, but he took a big “L” when he provided an unpopular answer to a very important question.Â
During a interview with Yahoo Finance, Brees was asked his opinion on the possible return of NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country. Let me tell you what I see, and what I feel when the National Anthem is played, and when I look at the flag of the United States. I envision my two grandfathers who fought for this country during World War II,” Brees stated.Â
The statement received immediate criticism from other star athletes and entertainers. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn’t appreciate the comments. James felt shock due to the fact Brees still doesn’t understand why Colin Kaepernick was kneeling on one knee. Kaepernick’s protest wasn’t aimed at the flag or the military. Kaepernick’s silent protest was targeted towards social injustices and police brutality.
Drew Brees was one of Colin Kaepernick’s biggest critics, but for some reason the criticism went under the radar. In 2016 Brees voiced his opinion in regards to Kaepernick kneeling when he stated it was disrespectful to the American flag. During the 2017 season when quarterbacks who were less talented then Kaepernick were being rewarded with jobs, and Kaepernick remained unemployed, Brees struck again when he said the NFL wasn’t blackballing Colin Kaepernick.
Somehow Drew Brees got lucky in the past, but this recent blunder is a hot button topic. Safety Malcolm Jenkins was a member of the Saints the year they won the Super Bowl. After spending multiple years in Philadelphia, Jenkins has returned to the Saints for the 2020 season. After hearing Brees’ comments Jenkins posted an emotional video on social media. In the video Jenkins stated Brees’ comments had a complete lack of awareness and care. “I consider you a friend, I looked up to you, you’re someone I had a great deal of respect for, but sometimes you should shut the f*ck up,” Jenkins stated.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman called Brees “beyond lost” for linking the protests to the military. In addition to Sherman, Aaron Rodgers, Tyrann Matthieu, and Ryan Clark were some of the many current and former NFL players who voiced their opinions on this subject matter.
Drew Brees is a legend and a proven leader. Over the years Brees led the Saints to many comeback victories. For the first time in his career Drew Brees is faced with the task of coming back from a negative image. He has his work cut out for him as many of his New Orleans Saints teammates have joined in on the backlash. They all expressed their disappointment in Brees’ comments. Teammates Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Alvin Kamara have all took it a step further by unfollowing their quarterback on social media.
One Response
You are right! Nothing new for Breeze, but we were not listening?