A day after drawing sharp criticism from high-profile athletes, including some of his own teammates, Drew Brees is asking for forgiveness.
In an interview with Yahoo Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints quarterback was asked to revisit former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 protest of police brutality against minorities, in which Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem before games.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States,” Brees began, adding that the national anthem reminds him of his grandfathers, who served in the armed forces during World War II. “In many cases, it brings me to tears thinking about all that has been sacrificed, and not just in the military, but for that matter, those throughout the civil rights movements of the ’60s, and all that has been endured by so many people up until this point.”
On Thursday morning, he wrote on Instagram, “In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country. They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. ...
“I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability. I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening ... and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen.
“For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.”
Critical responses to Brees’ statements appeared on social media from a couple major professional athletes, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins.
Jenkins was Brees' teammate when the Saints won the Super Bowl in the 2009 season, but spent the past six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before returning to New Orleans this offseason.
Brees has said he supports those protesting police brutality but that he does not see the national anthem as the proper forum for that. In 2017, Brees participated with teammates who knelt before the national anthem, but then stood in unison when the anthem was played.
Other NFL players offered their opinions.
Brees’ teammate, wide receiver Michael Thomas, wrote on Twitter, “He don’t know no better.” Later adding, “We don’t care if you don’t agree.”
Another former Brees teammate, safety Kenny Vacarro, replied to Thomas’ tweet with “That one hurt.”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wrote on Instagram: “It has NEVER been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. Not now.”
San Francisco defensive back Richard Sherman said Brees is, “beyond lost.”
Former NFL defensive end Julius Peppers said, “If you’re still talking about players ‘disrespecting the flag’ by kneeling during the national anthem clearly you’re not ready for these conversations.”
Not all were as critical. Brees teammate, defensive end Marcus Davenport, responded by saying that the quarterback was simply expressing his feelings about the anthem. “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.”
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