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Drew Brees responds to President Trump on national anthem protests: 'If not now, then when?'

3 years 9 months 1 week ago Friday, June 05 2020 Jun 5, 2020 June 05, 2020 9:30 PM June 05, 2020 in News
Source: WBRZ

NEW ORLEANS- Drew Brees' apology for his 'insensitive' comment on national anthem protests sparked disappointment in President Donald Trump Friday afternoon.

Brees has issued two public apologies following his interview with Yahoo! on June 3. In the interview, the Saints quarterback was asked about the controversial sign of protest returning in the upcoming football season in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

In the interview, Brees said, "I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country," Brees said on Wednesday. "When I look at the flag of the United States, 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." 

The comment sparked immediate backlash on social media from his teammates, fans, and even the President of the United States had something to say.

President Trump tweeted about Drew Friday afternoon, but it was not the comment about national anthem protests that Trump did not like, it was the apology following the comment.

"He should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag," Trump wrote.

Brees responded to President Trump's tweet with a lengthy post, starting with, "To @realdonaldtrump."

"We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities," Brees said. "We did this back in 2017, and regretfully I brought it back with my comments this week. We must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform."

Brees continued, stating, "We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history! If not now, then when?"

View this post on Instagram

To @realdonaldtrump Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been. We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities. We did this back in 2017, and regretfully I brought it back with my comments this week. We must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform. We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history! If not now, then when? We as a white community need to listen and learn from the pain and suffering of our black communities. We must acknowledge the problems, identify the solutions, and then put this into action. The black community cannot do it alone. This will require all of us.

A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees) on

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