Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation
Drew Brees talks to Colin Kaepernick after a game in 2016. The Saints quarterback on Wednesday said he disagreed with Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem
Drew Brees talks to Colin Kaepernick after a game in 2016. The Saints quarterback on Wednesday said he disagreed with Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem. Photograph: D Ross Cameron/AP
Drew Brees talks to Colin Kaepernick after a game in 2016. The Saints quarterback on Wednesday said he disagreed with Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem. Photograph: D Ross Cameron/AP

Brees sorry after LeBron James leads backlash to QB's criticism of anthem protests

This article is more than 3 years old
  • QB said he does not agree with peaceful protest during anthem
  • Comments came in wake of police killing of George Floyd
  • Does not say whether he has changed views in statement

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has apologized for his lack of “compassion or empathy” after he said he disagrees with athletes protesting against racism during the national anthem.

Brees registered his opposition to the non-violent protest movement launched by Colin Kaepernick during the 2016 NFL season in an interview with Yahoo Finance published on Wednesday.

“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country,” the 41-year-old said. “Let me just tell what I see or 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 two.”

The comments, which came in the wake of widespread civil unrest in the US after the police killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, sparked immediate backlash.

Brees’s teammate Michael Thomas wrote in a subsequent post on social media: “We don’t care if you don’t agree and whoever else how about that.” Another of Brees’s teammates, Malcolm Jenkins, posted a video to social media in which he became emotional as he said the quarterback did not understand that for many black people in America the flag represents centuries of oppression.

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins had something to say about his teammate Drew Brees' comments earlier today.

(via @MalcolmJenkins) pic.twitter.com/mDXl9I9Gox

— ESPN (@espn) June 4, 2020

Stars from other sports also joined in with the criticism. LeBron James, arguably the most high-profile athlete in America, posted his thoughts on Twitter.

“You literally still don’t understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee??” wrote the LA Lakers star. “Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of [America] and our soldiers (men and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those.”

WOW MAN!! 🤦🏾‍♂️. 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 https://t.co/pvUWPmh4s8

— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020

Other NFL players to criticize Brees included his Saints teammate Alvin Kamara, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, New York Jets safety Jamal Adams and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. “It has NEVER been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. Not now,” wrote Rodgers, one of the few white athletes to respond to Brees’s comments. “Listen with an open heart, let’s educate ourselves, and then turn word and thought into action.”

Allow Instagram content?

This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'.

On Thursday, Brees issued a lengthy apology on Twitter and Instagram, although he did not mention whether he had changed his views on anthem protests.

“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,” Brees wrote. “They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character.”

Brees concluded by asking for forgiveness.

“I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability,” Brees wrote. “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.”

Brees is considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He is the league’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

Most viewed

Most viewed