Drew Brees’ teammate Malcolm Jenkins among many stars to speak out against quarterback’s controversial comments
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees captivated backlash Wednesday from across the sporting activities planet, which includes from a teammate, when he reiterated his stance that he will “never concur with anyone disrespecting the flag of the United States of The us” in the course of an interview with Yahoo Finance.
An emotional Malcolm Jenkins, in a video clip that has because been deleted from social media, explained that he was “hurt” by Brees’ opinions and that they were “extremely self-centered.” The Yahoo interview featured Brees’ to start with opinions in the wake of George Floyd’s dying previous 7 days.
“Our communities are less than siege, and we need to have assistance,” Jenkins explained in a person of the videos on Instagram. “And what you might be telling us is will not request for assistance that way. Question for it a different way. I can’t hear to it when you request that way. We are accomplished inquiring, Drew. And men and women who share your sentiments, who convey these and press them through the planet, the airwaves, are the issue.
“And it can be unfortunate for the reason that I regarded as you a close friend. I seemed up to you. You’re any person who I had a excellent deal of respect for. But occasionally you really should shut the f— up.”
Jenkins, a safety who agreed to a 4-yr deal with the Saints in March, afterwards clarified his conclusion to acquire down the original video clip.
“I recorded a few videos when imagining of how to respond to Drew Brees, I will not acquire any of it back again-I meant what I explained-I eradicated the 1st video clip for the reason that I realized it be far more about the headlines,” he wrote. “I want men and women to understand how these of us having difficulties with what is likely on come to feel.”
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Jenkins, who appeared on CNN on Wednesday, was not alone in sharing his ideas. Brees’ remarks on the flag drew a sharp rebuke on social media from Eco-friendly Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, amongst other NFL gamers, as effectively as from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
Rodgers also posted on Instagram, with a picture of himself and his teammates locking arms in the course of the national anthem, composing, “A few years in the past we were criticized for locking arms in solidarity right before the match. It has Under no circumstances been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. Not now. Pay attention with an open up heart, let’s teach ourselves, and then transform phrase and considered into motion.”
Sherman took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that Brees is “outside of missing.”
“Promise you there were black males fighting along aspect your grandfather but this does not seem to be about that,” Sherman wrote. “That not comfortable conversation you are making an attempt to prevent by injecting armed forces into a conversation about brutality and equality is element of the issue.”
Stephen Jackson, a close friend of Floyd’s who has come to be a vocal chief for the black neighborhood in the times because Floyd’s dying, blasted Brees in a video clip posted to Instagram.
“Terrible timing Drew Brees, lousy timing bruh,” Jackson explained. “All right, you play for New Orleans, you stay in New Orleans. All of them black men and women aid you. Drew Brees, you gotta be a tiny far more delicate to the timing bruh.”
Jackson also applauded Saints vast receiver Michael Thomas, who appeared to acquire a shot at his quarterback on Twitter.
“Y’all got to check out y’all teammates. Michael Thomas, I salute you bruh,” Jackson explained. “F— Drew Brees. Way to check out his ass. If you ain’t down with us, you on the other aspect.”
Brees gave a prolonged reaction to ESPN when requested about the perceived conflict between his stances, which includes a potential divide in his locker home, in which gamers this kind of as Jenkins and Demario Davis are amongst the leaders of the players’ coalition trying to get social justice and racial equality.
“I appreciate and respect my teammates, and I stand right there with them in regard to fighting for racial equality and justice,” Brees explained. “I also stand with my grandfathers, who risked their life for this place, and many other armed forces males and women who do it on a every day basis.”
How can you be in the locker rooms, talking to the gamers, know the reasoning, and however however be dumb sufficient to believe it can be about the flag. Like HOW???? He really should know greater than that. He just does not treatment. Damn man not Drew…
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@treats) June 3, 2020
Previous Detroit Lions defensive deal with Damon Harrison, who is however a no cost agent as the season nears, explained on Twitter that a veteran of Brees’ caliber really should have known greater.
“How can you be in the locker rooms, talking to the gamers, know the reasoning, and however however be dumb sufficient to believe it can be about the flag,” he wrote. “Like HOW???? He really should know greater than that. He just does not treatment. Damn man not Drew …”
Professional Soccer Hall of Fame defensive back again and New Orleans indigenous Ed Reed also went immediately after Brees on social media late Wednesday. “I see Drew Brees making an attempt to do his element in trying to keep black people down,” Reed explained in a video clip posted to Instagram. “You a straight sucka for that s— Drew Brees … And for all my Saints lovers, for all my New Orleans men and women who however like your a– just for the reason that they want to get online games, y’all right with him.”
WOW Gentleman!! 🤦🏾♂️. Is it however surprising at this point. Guaranteed is just not! You pretty much however will not understand why Kap was kneeling on a person knee?? Has complete practically nothing to do with the disrespect of 🇺🇸 and our troopers(males and women) who keep our land no cost. My father-in-legislation was a person of these https://t.co/pvUWPmh4s8
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020
males who fought as effectively for this place. I requested him problem about it and thank him all the time for his commitement. He never identified Kap tranquil protest offensive for the reason that he and I both know what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong! God bless you. 🙏🏾✊🏾👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020
James responded on Twitter previously in the day, indicating that kneeling in the course of the national anthem has “practically nothing to do with the disrespect of [the United States flag] and our troopers.”
In addition to essential responses to Brees’ statements showing up on social media, NOLA.com confirmed video clip of a short “F— Drew Brees!” chant breaking out in the course of a tranquil protest in N
ew Orleans on Wednesday evening.