Saints QB Drew Brees apologizes for comments on anthem protests: ‘It breaks my heart’

Mike Stunson
·5 min read

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees apologized Thursday, a day after saying he will not support NFL players who kneel during the national anthem.

Brees’ comments came under fire by New Orleans residents, as well as Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas. Other athletes, including Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, also spoke out against Brees’ remarks.

“In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused. 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 on Instagram Thursday morning.

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I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday. In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused. 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. 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. This is where I stand: I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today. I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community. I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement. I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right. I have ALWAYS been an ally, never an enemy. 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.

A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees) on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:22am PDT

“They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy,” he continued. “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.”

In an interview with Yahoo Finance on Wednesday, Brees said he “will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country.”

Brees is among the many professional athletes in the United States who have spoken out following the killing of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis. Four police officers have been charged following Floyd’s death and nationwide protests have continued for more than a week.

Three more Minneapolis officers charged in George Floyd’s death, Minnesota AG says

In a series of tweets following Brees’ comments, Thomas said “He don’t know no better.”

Saints teammate Malcom Jenkins said in an Instagram video he was “hurt” by Brees’ comments and called them “extremely self centered.”

“Our communities are under siege, and we need help,” Jenkins said. “And what you’re telling us is don’t ask for help that way. Ask for it a different way. I can’t listen to it when you ask that way. We’re done asking, Drew. And people who share your sentiments, who express those and push them throughout the world, the airwaves, are the problem.”

James said Brees does not understand why players like Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem.

“Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of (the flag) and our soldiers who keep our land free,” James wrote on Twitter. “My father-in-law was one of those men who fought as well for this country. I asked him question about it and thank him all the time for his commitment. He never found Kap peaceful protest offensive because he and I both know what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.”

Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016, after many called his peaceful protests during the national anthem disrespectful to the flag or American troops.

The former 49ers quarterback has stated those were not his intentions for his protest. A former Green Beret convinced Kaepernick to kneel during the anthem, according to media reports.

Hateful chants against Brees also broke out during a New Orleans protest Thursday night, according to Nola.com reporter Bryn Stole.

Continuing his apology Thursday, Brees said he stands “with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality.”

“I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community,” he wrote.

“I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability,” his statement later continued. “I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening.”