Brees issues apology for ‘divisive’ comments
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees apologized Thursday for his comments about “disrespecting the flag,” saying they “were insensitive and completely missed the mark.”
“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,” Brees wrote in an Instagram post. “In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused.”
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.” He later told ESPN that he stands with his teammates in “fighting for racial equality and justice” but also with the military, in which his two grandfathers served.
Brees had been asked about his stance on players who kneel in protest during the national anthem, and his expectations after the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25. Brees’ comments brought widespread rebukes from teammates including Malcolm Jenkins, Michael Thomas and Cameron Jordan, as well as others around the NFL and even other sports, such as the Los Angeles Lakers’ Lebron James.
Jenkins, a member of the NFL Players Coalition for racial equality and social justice, said of Brees in a later-deleted Instagram video: “It is unfortunate because I considered you a friend, I looked up to you, you’re someone I had a great deal of respect for, but sometimes you should shut the (bleep) up.”
Brees, 41, was teammates with Jenkins from 2009-13 until the defensive back signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jenkins returned to the Saints this off-season.
“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 said Thursday in his apology. “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.”
He added that he stands with the black community opposing racial injustice and police brutality and working toward policy changes.
“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.”
Linebacker Demario Davis said during an interview on CNN that he appreciated Brees’ apology, calling it “a form of true leadership.”
“What we had hoped the first time was that Drew would elaborate more on racism and the sentiments of the black community,” Davis said on CNN. “And he admitted he missed the mark. So for him to come out and say, ‘I missed the mark, I’ve been insensitive, but what I’m going to start doing is listening and learning from the black community and finding ways that I can help them,’ I think that’s a model for all of America.
“For him to admit that he was wrong and say, ‘You know what, I can do better, and I will do better,’ I think that is leadership at its finest.”
Thomas, Brees’ top wide receiver, said later Thursday that he accepted Brees’ apology.
“One of my brothers made a public statement yesterday that I disagreed with,” Thomas wrote on Twitter. “He apologized & I accept it because that’s what we are taught to do as Christians.”