Michael Thomas, Other NFL Players Condemn Drew Brees' Kneeling Comments
Drew Brees stoked controversy on Wednesday when asked about the prospect of players kneeling during the national anthem when football returns. Brees claimed he'd never support anyone "disrespecting the flag of the United States or our country." That statement didn't go over well with his fellow NFL players.
Brees faced swift condemnation from other NFL stars on Twitter, even from his own New Orleans Saints teammates. Below is a list of current and former players who condemned his statement.
Brees' top target, wide receiver Michael Thomas:
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) June 3, 2020
New Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders:
Smh.. Ignorant
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) June 3, 2020
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan:
I’ve been told countless times, believe only half of what you see and none of what you hear. Idk bout it. I do know Actions speak louder than words. I’ve been told that a plenty... show me
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 3, 2020
Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins:
Malcolm Jenkins on his IG on new/old teammate Drew Brees’ comments
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 3, 2020
“I am hurt. I’m not OK. They were extremely disappointing. Extremely self-centered and show a complete lack of awareness or care for the plight of teammates, your peers, your countrymen”
? @MalcolmJenkins pic.twitter.com/0cKwWzjZe6
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman:
He’s beyond lost. Guarantee you there were black men fighting along side your grandfather but this doesn’t seem to be about that. That uncomfortable conversation you are trying to avoid by injecting military into a conversation about brutality and equality is part of the problem https://t.co/ON81UsOWPw pic.twitter.com/HH3EVTIH8p
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) June 3, 2020
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs:
??♂️.... This ain’t it https://t.co/XOew9MW6gu
— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) June 3, 2020
New England Patriots defensive backs Devin and Jason McCourty:
This is a disgrace! To speak about your grandfathers as if there weren’t black men fighting next to them.Those men later returned to a country that hated them. Don’t avoid the issue and try to make it about a flag or the military. Fight like your grandfathers for whats right! https://t.co/qag3Igic3V
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) June 3, 2020
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown:
If you don’t speak up about racism, then you’re apart of the problem. This man said the flag ... trash
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) June 3, 2020
Free agent running back Jay Ajayi:
damn Drew... ??♂️??♂️??♂️
— Jay Ajayi (@JayTrain) June 3, 2020
Tennessee Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro:
That one hurt bro https://t.co/EWggLLyV5n
— Savage (@KennyVaccaro4) June 3, 2020
Former Saints running back Khiry Robinson:
How many times will they show you Lmao why y’all acting surprised. Drew Brees from Texas @drewbrees .... YEEEEEHAAAA!!! Smmfh
— Khiry Robinson (@_numberthreeRB) June 3, 2020
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron:
Wow. lol just landed in Pittsburgh and that ain’t what u want to see from a leader in our sport man.
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) June 3, 2020
Former NFL offensive tackle George Foster (who was briefly with the Saints):
A locker room “leader” who doesn’t care about the majority of his teammates. You hate to see it.
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) June 3, 2020
Future Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers:
If you're still talking about players "disrespecting the flag" by kneeling during the national anthem clearly you're not ready for these conversations. Call a time out and come back later.
— Julius Peppers (@juliuspeppers_) June 3, 2020
Former Steelers Pro Bowl safety Ryan Clark:
Always knew who he was! Every time y’all came at me and said I couldn’t come home because I didn’t think he was Jesus. Oh well! Keep cheering
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) June 3, 2020
ESPN analyst and two-time Super Bowl winner Damien Woody:
Maybe @drewbrees needs a little history https://t.co/t0TkemtduY
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) June 3, 2020
New York Jets safety Jamal Adams:
Dammit Drew...
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) June 3, 2020
Teammate Alvin Kamara:
oop...
— Alvin Kamara (@A_kamara6) June 3, 2020
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay:
Damn drew hurt me with that one??♂️!!
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) June 3, 2020
Free agent DT Damon Harrison:
His family not the only ones who fought in wars for this country AND it’s people.
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) June 3, 2020
How can you be in the locker rooms, speaking to the players, know the reasoning, and yet still be dumb enough to believe it’s about the flag. Like HOW???? He should know better than that. He just doesn’t care. Damn man not Drew...
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) June 3, 2020
Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu:
@drewbrees SMH. You represent New Orleans Louisiana. Don’t ever forget that! #Bottomofthemap
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) June 3, 2020
Washington cornerback Aaron Colvin:
I dealt with racism as a child. So no offense to your mentor, but the sound of children playing in certain areas of our country does not all sound the same. Make sure when you listen you listen with the intent of understanding. LOVE https://t.co/Smgznkn40I
— AARON COLVIN (@AColvin_22) June 3, 2020
Former Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin:
.@drewbrees the reason my children have to live in a world that won’t empathize with their pain is because people like you are raising your children to perpetuate the cycle. Drew, you are the problem.
— Douglas Baldwin Jr ? (@DougBaldwinJr) June 3, 2020
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers:
The shockwaves have also spread past football, with LeBron James expressing his disappointment as well:
WOW MAN!! ??♂️. Is it still surprising at this point. Sure isn’t! You literally still don’t understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee?? Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of ?? and our soldiers(men and women) who keep our land free. My father-in-law was one of those https://t.co/pvUWPmh4s8
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 3, 2020