Drew Brees Issues Apology Regarding Comments About American Flag

Drew Brees came under fire yesterday after saying he can never agree with anyone who disrespects the American flag. Now, roughly 13 hours after his controversial comments, Brees has issued an apology via Instagram.

Minutes after an interview came out with Brees and Yahoo! Sports, Drew's comments spread like wildfire, even drawing criticism and harsh words from many of his own Saints team mates.

In the interview, Drew Brees was asked how he will feel if NFL players take a knee in protest during the 2020 season in light of the current events surrounding George Floyd.

Brees responded by saying disrespecting the flag is something he “will never agree with.”

That along with a deeper explanation about his family's military history and his love for his Country and our flag set off a social media hurricane of strong words and opinions in response. Many teammates, fans and other pro athletes spoke out against Drew and his statements.

The issue many took with Drew's comments is that his words came across as self absorbed and oblivious as to what the kneeling movement was about, and oblivious to what is happening right now in our Country.

Just minutes ago, Drew Brees offered an apology via his Instagram account.

Via Instagram -

"I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday."

Brees goes on in great detail with his apology, but judging by the initial reactions on social media, many people aren't buying it.

View this post on Instagram

I would like to apologize to my friends, teammates, the City of New Orleans, the black community, NFL community and anyone I hurt with my comments yesterday. In speaking with some of you, it breaks my heart to know the pain I have caused. In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country. They lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy. Instead, those words have become divisive and hurtful and have misled people into believing that somehow I am an enemy. This could not be further from the truth, and is not an accurate reflection of my heart or my character. This is where I stand: I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today. I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community. I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement. I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right. I have ALWAYS been an ally, never an enemy. I am sick about the way my comments were perceived yesterday, but I take full responsibility and accountability. I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening...and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen. For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness.

A post shared by Drew Brees (@drewbrees) on Jun 4, 2020 at 5:22am PDT