News and Commentary

Drew Brees Caves, Asks For ‘Forgiveness’ For Saying Americans Should Respect The Flag

   DailyWire.com
Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during a preseason game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

On Wednesday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees reaffirmed his stance that Americans should not disrespect our flag. By Thursday, amid massive backlash, including from fellow athletes, the embattled quarterback was issuing an apology for his racially “insensitive” comments.

“A lot of people expect that we will see players kneeling again if and when the NFL season starts,” Yahoo Finance Editor-at-Large Daniel Roberts told Brees during the interview. “I’m curious how you think the NFL will and should respond to that. And of course, you’re such a leader in the league – what is your responsibility as a leader in times like this for the rest of your teammates and players in the league?”

“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America, or our country,” Brees responded. “Let me just tell you what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States. I envision my two grandfathers who fought for this country during WWII – one in the Army and one in the Marine Corps – both risking their lives to protect our country, and to try to make our country and this world a better place.”

Brees was quickly pummeled by activists, professional athletes, and members of the media for his mainstream opinion, shared by millions of Americans. The QB, who constantly gives back to his community and donated $5 million to coronavirus-related efforts in March to Louisiana (the state with the second-highest black population), was smeared as racially insensitive, or worse.

In response, Brees issued an apology and claimed he was in the wrong.

“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,” he wrote in a lengthy post. “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,” the athlete continued. “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.”

The QB then listed a series of “I”-statements about where he “stands” on “systemic racism” and “injustice.”

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.

Brees then asked for “forgiveness” and promised to do “less talking and more listening.”

“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,” he wrote. “For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.”

The quick cave garnered reactions from figures on the Right.

“Why are you apologizing? You didn’t say anything wrong,” responded Lisa Boothe.

“PSA: You are allowed to love America and respect the flag. Just don’t tell anyone,” mocked Mickey White.

https://twitter.com/BiasedGirl/status/1268531348471414786

“There is something like the Cultural Revolution going on with the left. Say the wrong thing and you’ll be destroyed. Drew Brees must apologize for wrongthink,” wrote Erick Erickson. “The NY Times must not allow dissent from the right, but murderous dictators are ok. Don’t say all lives matter, etc.”

https://twitter.com/EWErickson/status/1268529280054689792

“Lol! Of course. Yesterday: ‘I love the flag and America.’ Today: ‘Whoa! Sorry for those hugely controversial comments. I’ve thought it over and this place really does suck. And it’s racist. My bad,'” mocked Jesse Kelly. “What a clown culture we live in. Pathetic.”

https://twitter.com/JesseKellyDC/status/1268526605942558721

“And now Drew Brees has apologized,” commented Clay Travis. “Never, ever apologize for what you truly believe. It’s how we’ve entered into this ridiculous cycle of perpetual offense. Everyone shouldn’t agree on every issue, but everyone should have the right to their opinion.”

Here’s Brees’ Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBA1P3gHpT_/?igshid=1qstwzxn87p2n

Read Brees’ full post, below:

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.

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The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Drew Brees Caves, Asks For ‘Forgiveness’ For Saying Americans Should Respect The Flag