New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is in apology mode. After being ripped by teammates — and many others — after accusing NFL players who kneel of “disrespecting the flag,” Brees issued multiple apologies for his comments. He even responded directly to President Donald Trump, telling Trump the protests were not about the flag.
Following her husband’s lead, Brittany Brees issued her own statement Saturday. She apologized for not listening to what led to the protests, and vowed to do better.
Brees’ picture consists of two Martin Luther King quotes. In the text area, Brees explained why she is part of the problem. Brees said she educated her kid about “the horrors of slavery and history,” but added that’s not enough. Brees added that “white America is not hearing” the issues. She apologized to “friends and anyone we hurt,” and promised to listen and to do better.
Drew Brees received plenty of backlash after his initial comments, the most striking of which came from Saints players like Malcolm Jenkins, Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Thomas. Citizens of New Orleans weren’t happy either, as they chanted “f— Drew Brees” at a protest.
Brees’ apologies set things right with Thomas, who expressed a desire to focus on the season. Other members of the Saints echoed that sentiment. Not every NFL player feels the same. New York Jets safety Jamal Adams called Brees’ apology “bulls—.”
It will be up to Brittany and Drew Brees to prove that’s not the case. Both have expressed a willingness to change, now they have to show it with their actions.