The quarterback from the New Orleans’ Saints is really slamming Colin Kaepernick’s stunt that has offended so many.
His statement is really heartfelt and worth reading:
“I disagree. I wholeheartedly disagree,” Brees told ESPN. “Not that he wants to speak out about a very important issue. No, he can speak out about a very important issue. But there’s plenty of other ways that you can do that in a peaceful manner that doesn’t involve being disrespectful to the American flag.
“The great thing about this country is that we have the freedoms that allow you to speak out openly about any issue. So I’m not commenting on the issue itself because any person has the right to speak out on any issue they want. That’s the great thing about being an American. But the American flag is what represents those freedoms. It represents the very freedom that Colin Kaepernick gets the opportunity to exercise by speaking out his opinion in a peaceful manner about that issue. …
“Like, it’s an oxymoron that you’re sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.”
Both of Brees’ grandfathers served in World War II, one in the Marines in Okinawa and the other in the Army in India.
“Listen, if I chose to speak out on every issue that I have an opinion about, that’s all I’d do all day. I’d probably have a hundred Twitter posts a day. But this one …,” Brees said without completing his thought.
“I’ve been on five USO trips, so I’ve had a chance to meet and talk with a lot of military personnel. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the things that they go through. Also having family that have served and sitting around and listening to my grandfather talk about World War II, so maybe that gives me a heightened level of appreciation for them,” Brees said. “But when I look at that flag, I think about them too. I think about a lot of things. Like when I stand and listen to the national anthem with my hand over my heart, there is emotions that well up inside of me.
“Like, I could shed a tear every time the national anthem plays if I would allow myself because it’s that powerful.”
I’m not joking – I tear up every time I hear the National Anthem. I’m tearing up just thinking about it right now. Be right back, getting a kleenex.
Anyway, not only was Colin Kaepernick wrong in his opinion about America oppressing blacks, but his method of protest was absurd and selfish. It forces his teammates, the team organization, the fans, and the NFL to have to take a stand on the issue, when they just wanna see some good football. He has the right to criticize America, even when he’s wrong, but the way he did it was even more ignorant and dumb than what he said.
I think Brees’ statement is more measured and reasonable than Trump’s, which we posted earlier here. Let us know what you think.