Few years back Colin Kaepernick started protesting the police brutality and the death of innocent Americans. A war veteran and former Green Beret, Nate Boyer suggested Kaepernick kneel during the anthem instead of sit on the bench.
Boyer said the two came to an understanding as he explained why he suggested kneeling."Soldiers take a knee in front of a fallen brother's grave, you know, to show respect. When we're on a patrol, you know, and we go into a security halt, we take a knee, and we pull security. It's pretty powerful."
Boyer took a lot of heat and disrespect for supporting Kaepernick's cause to protest against police brutality, injustices and slaughter of American people.
"I got called a lotta things from both sides. I was told I was a disgrace to the green beret by a couple Green Berets, one of 'em I was friends with, and that hurts, you know? It really does. But then I also had a lot of people in the military and people in special forces that said, 'Man, I hadn't really thought about that before. And I think you're onto something." Boyer said.
Kaepernick opted out of his last year of his contract with the 49ers and has been blackballed out of the league since. Kaepernick came under fire from Americans who are either comfortable with the racism in this country, or choose to ignore it. Most notably President Donald Trump.
For some reason American's were against taking action to stop the racism and injustice going on in this country. They attacked the protests, even going as far to say racism ended in the 1960s and that Kaepernick and former President Obama brought it back; all while ignoring the problem or making it worse.
On February 23, Ahmaud Arbery was shot while jogging. Shortly after that, Breonna Taylor on March 13th was shot 8 times by officers who entered her home. May 25th, George Floyd was suffocated by 4 police officers. It is unknown how many unjust deaths truly have taken place since the start of the year.
This led to protests and riots across the country. Citizens spoke out and while others took the opportunity to loot their communities. There were even white supremacist groups trying to incite violence in the name of antifa, with Twitter taking down at least one account.This led to athletes asking if people understood why Kaepernick and other athletes knelt during the anthem.
@readdanwrite on twitter asked Saints quarterback Drew Brees his thoughts on the return of the kneeling protests. Brees made it clear that he is against the protests. Saying Veteran Nate Boyer and athletes all over are disrespecting the flag and our country by protesting the death and injustice of Americans.
Brees said " I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or Our Country."
So one could take it that Brees finds the injustices against American citizens, mainly of the African American community as American as apple pie and country music. It must be a staple of his America that he won't allow to be disrespected.
The sports world seems to agree with myself as it did not take too kindly to what Brees had to say. Several New England Patriots players spoke out against the comments of NFL golden boy and New Orleans hero Drew Brees.
Team Captain Devin McCourty and his brother Jason tweeted.
"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!
Patriots running back and core special teamer Brandon Bolden said of Brees, “dropped the ball”. Many including Ja'Whaun Bentley were shocked at how Brees viewed the Protests against the slaughtering of American lives, "That's not it at all" said Ja'Whaun Bentley.
That's not the worst of it for Brees however, his teammates spoke out against his comments, in a several tweets.
Michael Thomas said "He don’t know no better." But than switched it up and said the following to his quarterback, "We don’t care if you don’t agree and whoever else how about that."
While Thomas isn't the only saints player to speak out on Brees' comments, What makes Thomas special is that he is Brees receiver. The two have to share a huddle together, which could create an uncomfortable and hostile work environment.
Brees is going to have a tough time in his locker room, especially since his comments make it appear to the common person that he supports the brutality, injustice, and death taking place in this country. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. For now Brees is pretty comfortable at home waiting for the league year to start.
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