New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew stated he does not agree with gamers kneeling in the course of the nationwide anthem to protest. PHOTO: AFP
The spouse of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees stated on Sunday they acquired loss of life threats over his feedback about athletes protesting in the course of the American nationwide anthem.
“Until we experienced the death threats, we experienced the hate, did I realize that these words were speaking directly to us. How could anyone who knows us or has had interactions with us think that Drew or I have a racist bone in our body?” Brittany Brees wrote in a social media publish.
Brees acquired loads of backlash over his feedback earlier within the week that he doesn’t agree with gamers kneeling in the course of the nationwide anthem to protest the mistreatment of blacks within the US.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country,” Brees stated.
Criticism got here from throughout, together with fellow American sports activities celebrities corresponding to LeBron James.
Brees shortly issued a public apology that he stood by in a separate assertion after feedback from US President Donald Trump, who stated the quarterback mustn’t have modified his stance.
“I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been,” Brees wrote on social media after Trump’s tweet.
“We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.”
Brittany Brees pledged that the household will now work to be an ally for the black group and assist battle police brutality and racial prejudice towards minorities.
“That’s the problem — we are not listening, white America is not hearing. We’re not actively LOOKING for racial prejudice,” she stated.
“We’ve heard tales from women and men we’ve recognized and liked for years in regards to the racism that occurred of their lives… tales that had been by no means shared or talked about as a result of one way or the other they had been thought of regular.
“To all of our friends and anyone we hurt, we will do better. We want to do better, we want to HEAR you, and we will fight for you because thinking we are not part of the problem is checking the box it means we are not doing enough. It’s our job to educate ourselves. We are sorry.”
A wave of protests towards police brutality and racism has swept throughout the US up to now week, with many athletes voicing assist for NFL participant Colin Kaepernick, who ignited controversy in 2016 by kneeling in the course of the US nationwide anthem.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick, who stated he was refusing to face in an effort to draw consideration to racial injustice, was later frozen out of the league and has been unemployed for the previous 4 years.
– Peterson plans to take a knee –
On Sunday, Washington Redskins working again Adrian Peterson stated he could be taking a knee in the course of the nationwide anthem to protest racial injustice.
Peterson stated he expects others on his crew to hitch him.
“Just four years ago, you’re seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, and now we’re all getting ready to take a knee together going into this season, without a doubt,” Peterson advised the Houston Chronicle newspaper.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated Friday the NFL condemns “racism and the systematic oppression of black people” and indicated that gamers who kneel in the course of the anthem may not face any punishment.
“We encourage all players to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe that black lives matter,” Goodell stated.
Brees has been energetic in group tasks since becoming a member of the Saints in 2006. Earlier this 12 months, he pledged $5 million to the state of Louisiana to assist battle the coronavirus pandemic.
