Drew Brees made his stance quite clear when it comes to his NFL peers who take a knee during the playing of the national anthem.
Speaking with Daniel Roberts of Yahoo Finance, Brees was asked how he’d feel if more players protested in this way during the 2020 season.
Drew Brees: Players who kneel are ‘disrespecting the flag’
When asked, Brees’ response was pretty blunt: “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country,” he said.
He went on to say that, for him, the act of standing with hand over heart during the anthem is very personal. He said he thinks about two grandfathers, who fought in World War II to “protect our country and to try and 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. And in many cases, it brings me to tears.”
Brees then went on to tie in the Civil Rights Movement, which might not sit well with some.
Colin Kaepernick started the peaceful protest of police brutality in 2016
The backdrop of this, of course, is that there are nationwide protests happening in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Colin Kaepernick was protesting that very thing back in 2016. Since then, he has been excoriated and blackballed from the league.
Some players, such as Eric Reid (who is still without a job this offseason), Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills, continue to take a knee before the anthem. It stands to reason that, in light of the recent protests and rising support from so many athletes during this time, that others will likely do the same when the 2020 season begins.
One of the players who has been outspoken against the death of George Floyd is none other than Brees’ teammate, Cameron Jordan.