NFL’s Drew Brees Apologizes After Remarks on Opposing Kneeling During Anthem Amid Protests

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is issuing a statement of apology following backlash over his latest remarks about former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s silent protest during the National Anthem.

On Thursday morning, the record-setting quarterback took to Instagram with a lengthy statement, admitting that he likely “missed the mark” on the racially-charged issues currently plaguing the country.

“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.

Brees went on to acknowledge the plight of “systemic racial injustice and police brutality” while condemning “the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.”

“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,” Brees wrote, later adding, “For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.”

See Brees’ post below:

View this post on Instagram

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

Brees’ apology comes one day after his comments made during an interview with Yahoo! News.

At the time, Brees was actually asked about Kaepernick’s previous protest and the possibility of it being seen in the upcoming 2020-2021 football season. In 2016, Kaepernick was deeply criticized for opting to kneel in silent protest against police brutality during the national anthem.

With deaths of Armaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and everything that has transpired up to this point, Brees was asked how he believes the NFL should respond and what would be his responsibility as a leader in the event players opt to silently protest again.

Brees immediately defended the flag while expressing what it personally means to him.

“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country,” Brees said.

See Brees’ interview below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N5ynPUyzAs

Almost immediately after the interview aired, Brees was met with opposition from his teammates, fans, and other professional athletes including LeBron James.

Be a better ally…

— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 3, 2020

Drew wasn’t talking about the current protest, the riots or really anything besides HIS feelings on kneeling during the National Anthem.He even explained what they were, the basis and that he actually stands with us. Do we have to entirely agree with him, no. https://t.co/KEkzqYj8HR

— Marcus Davenport (@MarcusJD84) June 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1268240391561773057

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

Saints wide receiver Malcolm Jenkins also took to Instagram with his reaction to Brees’ remarks.

View this post on Instagram

As I was trying to muster up the energy and find the words to address Drew Brees’s comments I recorded this video. Before I could post it, Drew reached out to me to discuss his point of view. All in all, I’m still posting this video because it’s important for anyone who wants to consider themself an ally to know how these words and actions affect those who you want to help. Drew’s words during his interview were extremely painful to hear and I hope he rectifies them with real action.

A post shared by Malcolm Jenkins (@malcolmjenkins27) on Jun 3, 2020 at 2:42pm PDT

Former Saints star Marques Colston also urged Brees to open his mind and “be humble enough to hear and experience someone else’s pain,” which is what Brees has vowed to do, going forward.