LeBron, NFL players rip Brees after comments about kneeling
ByReuters
Published 03/06/2020 at 22:13 GMT
NBA superstar LeBron James and even New Orleans Saints teammates Malcolm Jenkins, Michael Thomas and Cameron Jordan took aim at Drew Brees on Wednesday after the quarterback reiterated his objection to those who kneel during the national anthem.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
And they weren't alone, as new Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, San
Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and many more bashed the
quarterback over social media.
Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and many more bashed the
quarterback over social media.
In an interview posted to Twitter, Brees told Yahoo Finance that he "will
never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of
America or our country." Brees had been asked about his responsibility moving
forward as somebody who is viewed around the league as a leader.
never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of
America or our country." Brees had been asked about his responsibility moving
forward as somebody who is viewed around the league as a leader.
Brees' public comments were his first following the death of George Floyd, who
died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, was arrested and had his charge
upgraded to second-degree murder Wednesday. He had pressed his knee on the
neck of Floyd, a black man, for more than eight minutes. Chauvin was also
charged with second-degree manslaughter.
upgraded to second-degree murder Wednesday. He had pressed his knee on the
neck of Floyd, a black man, for more than eight minutes. Chauvin was also
charged with second-degree manslaughter.
James lowered the boom on Brees for taking the stance of disrespecting the
flag when speaking of Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during in 2016.
Brees said that he disagreed with Kapernick's decision as a way to speak out
against racial injustice.
flag when speaking of Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during in 2016.
Brees said that he disagreed with Kapernick's decision as a way to speak out
against racial injustice.
"Is it still surprising at this point. Sure isn't!" James wrote. "You
literally still don't understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee?? Has
absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of (the flag) and our soldiers(men
and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those."
literally still don't understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee?? Has
absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of (the flag) and our soldiers(men
and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those."
Jenkins, a member of the NFL Players Coalition for racial equality and social
justice, said of Brees in an 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."
justice, said of Brees in an 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."
ESPN reported that Jenkins posted the video before speaking Wednesday with
Brees, after which he deleted the post.
Brees, after which he deleted the post.
Thomas took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with Brees.
"He don't know no better," Thomas wrote on Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas followed 15 minutes later with "We don't care if you don't agree and
whoever else how about that."
whoever else how about that."
Brees followed Thomas' tweets with a statement to ESPN.com.
"I love and respect my teammates and I stand right there with them in regards
to fighting for racial equality and justice," Brees said. "I also stand with
my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other
military men and women who do it on a daily basis."
to fighting for racial equality and justice," Brees said. "I also stand with
my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other
military men and women who do it on a daily basis."
Sanders, who previously compared joining Brees to playing with Peyton Manning
in Denver, wrote "Smh.. Ignorant" upon hearing his new quarterback's comments.
in Denver, wrote "Smh.. Ignorant" upon hearing his new quarterback's comments.
Jordan offered on Twitter, "I've been told countless times, believe only half
of what you see and none of what you hear. Idk bout it. I do know Actions
speak louder than words. I've been told that a plenty... show me"
of what you see and none of what you hear. Idk bout it. I do know Actions
speak louder than words. I've been told that a plenty... show me"
Sherman didn't mince words with his assessment of Brees' comments.
"He's beyond lost," Sherman wrote. "Guarantee you there were black men
fighting along side your grandfather but this doesn't seem to be about that.
That uncomfortable conversation you are trying to avoid by injecting military
into a conversation about brutality and equality is part of the problem."
fighting along side your grandfather but this doesn't seem to be about that.
That uncomfortable conversation you are trying to avoid by injecting military
into a conversation about brutality and equality is part of the problem."
Former NFL wide receiver Doug Baldwin Jr. tweeted, "@drewbrees the reason my
children have to live in a world that won't empathize with their pain is
because people like you are raising your children to perpetuate the cycle.
Drew, you are the problem."
children have to live in a world that won't empathize with their pain is
because people like you are raising your children to perpetuate the cycle.
Drew, you are the problem."
Brees and Thomas have been on the same page on the field, with the latter
being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
Thomas, 27, caught 149 passes for 1,725 yards last season, both league highs,
and he scored nine touchdowns. He has 470 receptions for 5,512 yards and 32
touchdowns in 63 career games with the Saints.
and he scored nine touchdowns. He has 470 receptions for 5,512 yards and 32
touchdowns in 63 career games with the Saints.
--Field Level Media
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