New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is facing criticism on social media after he said he will “never agree with anybody disrespecting” the U.S. flag in connection to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel before NFL games as a form of protest.
What happened:
- Brees made comments on a Yahoo Finance interview about the ongoing protests about the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck.
- Brees was asked about his thought of NFL players kneeling again when the season starts.
- Brees said: “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.”
- Former 49ers quarterback Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem as a form of protest against racism and police brutality back in the 2016 season. He hasn’t played in the NFL since that year.
Responses from athletes, public figures
men who fought as well for this country. I asked him question about it and thank him all the time for his commitement. He never found Kap peaceful protest offensive because he and I both know what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong! God bless you. 🙏🏾✊🏾👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020
Never was about disrespecting the armed forces. It’s about police brutality and racial injustices in our country. This country can’t be unified if African Americans are unjustly killed in the street because of the color of their skin https://t.co/BzRZgkOYnU
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) June 3, 2020
He don’t know no better.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) June 3, 2020
Other words from Brees
- Brees did speak out against racism and social injustice over the last two days in regards to the protest. He shared a black square photo in regards to Blackout Tuesday.
- He also posted a photo of a quote about hate and prejudice, saying that it’s very possible to learn about race and inequality.
- He wrote in a caption: “So when you ask what difference you can make in this world… It’s exactly that. Raise, teach, but most importantly model to young people what it is to love all and respect all.”