/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/1199058327/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=5809&cropY1=295&cropY2=3562&w=1920&resize=1920,0&ssl=1 "Drew Brees Says He ‘Will Never Agree With’ NFL Players Kneeling During National Anthem")
TOPLINE
Saints QB Drew Brees told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday that he “will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,” when asked about fellow players potentially kneeling during the upcoming 2020 NFL season.
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints … [+]
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KEY FACTS
Brees made similar comments back in 2016, near the height of the controversy surrounding NFL players (most notably Colin Kaepernick) protesting racial injustices and police brutality by peacefully kneeling on one knee during the national anthem.
At that time, Brees stated that while he agreed with Kaepernick’s reasoning for protesting, he didn’t believe in the method of that protest.
Making his first public comments since the death of George Floyd last week, Brees didn’t budge from that stance when asked about the controversial subject on Wednesday.
“I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity,” Brees said. “It shows that we are all in this together.”
Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas appeared to respond quickly to Brees’ comments Wednesday, quote-tweeting a post that read, “How can anyone watch George Floyd get murdered and their first response when asked about it is ResPEcC tHe fLAg.”
Late Wednesday afternoon, Brees attempted to clarify his stance, but he has not yet said what method of protest he would find acceptable.
Critical quote:
“I love and respect my teammates, and I stand right there with them in regards to fighting for racial equality and justice,” Brees told ESPN Wednesday afternoon. “I also stand with my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other military men and women who do it on a daily basis.”
Big Number:
$5 million: In late March, Brees and his wife, Brittany, announced a $5 million donation to the state of Louisiana following the coronavirus outbreak. Brees said to help fund delivery of over 10,000 meals per day throughout Louisiana for “as long as it takes” to children on meal programs, seniors, and families in need.
Key Background:
There has been a renewed focus on past peaceful protests from Kaepernick and other NFL players in the wake Geroge Floyd’s death, and the subsequent demonstrations and riots that have ravaged the country. When initially asked about the reasons for his actions back in 2016, Kaepernick explained: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” That season, Kaepernick donated $1 million to charities. “Once again, I’m not anti-American. I love America. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better.” Kaepernick said in September of 2016. “I realize that men and women of the military go out and sacrifice their lives and put their selves in harm’s way for my freedom of speech and my freedoms in this country, and my freedom to take a seat or take a knee, so I have the utmost respect for them.”
CHIEF CRITIC:
NBA star LeBron James was among a number of pro athletes that expressed frustration over Brees’ comments. “WOW MAN!!,” LeBron tweeted Wednesday, adding a facepalm emoji. “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.”
Further Reading:
Colin Kaepernick Offers To Pay For Lawyers For Protesters Arrested In Minneapolis (Forbes)
How Nate Boyer got Colin Kaepernick to kneel rather than sit (Mercury News)
Backlash from Michael Thomas, among others, forces Drew Brees to clarify comments (PFT)
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