Drew Brees: “I Will Never Agree with Anybody Disrespecting the Flag of the United States of America”

American football quarterback Drew Brees is firm about being against players kneeling during the national anthem when the season begins.

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

For Brees, standing for the national anthem is like saluting the military.

“I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II, 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. So every time I stand with my hand over my heart looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about,” he said.

ESPN reported that Brees’s comments came when he was asked to “revisit former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's 2016 protest of police brutality against minorities.”

“I love and respect my teammates, and I stand right there with them in regard 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.”

Several people feel the need for the return of anthem demonstrations following the tragic death of George Floyd.

Criticisms

Brees’s remarks did not sit well with several athletes such as Lebron James.

“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 [the U.S. flag] and our soldiers (men and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those men who fought as well for this country,” James said on Twitter.

“He never found Kap peaceful protest offensive because he and I both know what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong! God bless you,” James added.

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