Warning: Story contains coarse language
Drew Brees' comments on players kneeling in protest during the U.S. national anthem quickly drew criticism from other NFL players on Wednesday.
In 2016, the New Orleans Saints quarterback said he agreed with Colin Kaepernick's message in protesting police brutality and racial injustice, but not his method. Asked in an interview Wednesday about the potential of players kneeling during the anthem when the NFL returns, Brees said, "I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country."
Stars from around the league, including Brees' teammate Michael Thomas, weighed in via Twitter on the quarterback's remarks.
We don’t care if you don’t agree and whoever else how about that.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) June 3, 2020
Dammit Drew...
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) 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
He’s beyond lost. Guarantee you there were black men fighting along side your grandfather but this doesn’t seem to be about that. That uncomfortable conversation you are trying to avoid by injecting military into a conversation about brutality and equality is part of the problem https://t.co/ON81UsOWPw pic.twitter.com/HH3EVTIH8p
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) June 3, 2020
This is a disgrace! To speak about your grandfathers as if there weren’t black men fighting next to them.Those men later returned to a country that hated them. Don’t avoid the issue and try to make it about a flag or the military. Fight like your grandfathers for whats right! https://t.co/qag3Igic3V
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) June 3, 2020
I heard in this video "What I see, What I feel" I think what Kaep was doing is challenging us to look beyond what YOU see and see what your black community sees and feels. It's only then YOU will see it isn't about the military but police brutality and equality. https://t.co/mt2ifPaX3C
— Justin Simmons (@jsimms1119) June 3, 2020
🤦🏽♂️.... This ain’t it https://t.co/XOew9MW6gu
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) June 3, 2020
If you don’t speak up about racism, then you’re apart of the problem. This man said the flag ... trash
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) June 3, 2020
IT NEVER WAS ABOUT DISRESPECTING THE FLAG!!! IT NEVER WAS ABOUT DISRESPECTING THE FLAG!!! Say it with me..... https://t.co/KQYh25JDhK
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) June 3, 2020
This guy doesn’t fucking get it. This is a lesson in #WhitePrivelege https://t.co/o8yPfi6EJy
— Jalen Reeves-Maybin (@ReevesMaybin) June 3, 2020
Drew hurt me with that one 💔..
— K’Lavon Chaisson (@S4CKGURU) June 3, 2020
If you're still talking about players "disrespecting the flag" by kneeling during the national anthem clearly you're not ready for these conversations. Call a time out and come back later.
— Julius Peppers (@juliuspeppers_) June 3, 2020
.@drewbrees the reason my children have to live in a world that won’t empathize with their pain is because people like you are raising your children to perpetuate the cycle. Drew, you are the problem.
— Douglas Baldwin Jr 🧢 (@DougBaldwinJr) June 3, 2020
Ed Reed responds to Drew Brees’ comments about kneeling during the national anthem.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2020
(via @TwentyER) pic.twitter.com/OC2kYZrf2G
