Drew Brees: Controversial comments

[HappyDays]

3 minutes ago, Mango said:

 

He could have easily said: 

 

“listen, I have a long history with my famipy

in the military and will always stand for the anthem. But my friends and teammates have a different experience in this country. We have to stop persecuting black people. Institutional racism is a real problem. I understand why they feel differently about it”

 

But he didn’t do or say that, so here we are. 

 

Exactly. There is a really easy answer here and he missed it. "I was raised to respect the flag and the anthem, but I understand why Kaepernick did what he did." That's all he has to say. It's a softball question and he struck out. No one is saying Brees or anyone has to kneel for the anthem. Just make a small effort to understand the issue.

[Mango]

Just now, Shooter McGavin said:

Did you really just tell another man what to say and how to act? What country is this?

 

Huh? Not even a little. I’m not demanding anything of DB. There was a much better way to talk about the issue and voice his opinion. He didn’t do that, and hence the jury is in session. And rightfully so. 

[Mikie2times]

I'm a white male, my girlfriend is black, my brother is a police officer. I'm not an authority on this topic, I can just share what the hell has been going on the last few days from these various perspectives.

 

My girlfriend is from a predominantly white area, she is highly educated, she has flat out said multiple times she does not know where she fits in society. She feels her own people do not accept her and she will never be fully accepted by white people. When we first started talking about this I had no idea how sensitive the topic was. I mean we joke about race constantly.

 

What I learned from this is if religion and politics could make a baby and form the mecca of all things you don't throw your opinions at recklessly this would be it.  I have given up any attempt to FULLY understand how she feels. I never will and never could. I'm a white male. It is that simple. This is not even remotely about a flag to black people, they do not feel in anyway that they're dishonoring former military. If you understand that, great, if you don't understand that, great. All sides of the coin are free to express themselves. Brees is a public figure, he could have chose to stay on the sidelines if he wanted, he chose not to. I'm sure some people are happy he did express his opinion, that said it should not be the least bit surprising the black community roasted him in doing so.   

Edited June 5, 2020 by KzooMike

[JoPoy88]

14 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

 

Drew Brees has done a lot of good things. I don’t believe Drew Brees is a good person. Those things aren’t the same. He’s charitable. He’s a phony. Those are both true. He just had a rare misstep in the public eye. He accidentally showed everyone who he is. He’s done that a few times (suing his mom, Focus on Family, anthem protest). This isn’t “out of character” for Brees; this is who he is. He usually just is better at protecting his image.

this is it right here. Honestly the FotF stuff is enough for me to say Brees is a fraud.

[HappyDays]

5 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

Did you really just tell another man what to say and how to act? What country is this?

 

Believe it or not public figures actually have to watch what they say and how they act all the time. Brees isn't your crude uncle on Facebook. He's a leader of a football team comprised mostly of black men in a city with a large black population. Someone asked him how he felt about a quiet protest over institutional racism and he decided to talk about how great a patriot he is. If you don't understand why that upsets people you're not trying to understand. It has nothing to do with anyone's feelings about the national anthem and flag. It's an attempt to divert the conversation to an "issue" that doesn't actually affect anyone.

Edited June 5, 2020 by HappyDays

[Billl]

2 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

What an incredibly witty response. Tell me what to say and think next time since that’s what your mob cares about. 

Thankfully our troops are tougher than you.  Otherwise the enemy wouldn’t even need weapons.  They could just all kneel in front of a flag, and everyone would curl up into a ball and cry.

[Shooter McGavin]

5 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Please read my posts before responding to them. Thanks.

I did. It contained the same, old recycled garbage. Drew Brees needs to watch every word he says because we’re living in a world where martyrs have criminal rap sheets and multiple drugs in their system 

Just now, Billl said:

Thankfully our troops are tougher than you.  Otherwise the enemy wouldn’t even need weapons.  They could just all kneel in front of a flag, and everyone would curl up into a ball and cry.

I really hope you’re not a comedian. 

[Billl]

1 minute ago, Shooter McGavin said:

I really hope you’re not a comedian. 

I guess your taste in comedy is more in line with Jake Fromm’s.

[HappyDays]

3 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

we’re living in a world where martyrs have criminal rap sheets and multiple drugs in their system 

 

Okay, I see what's going on here. You just had to go and reveal yourself.

 

Moving on.

[Alphadawg7]

12 hours ago, billrooter said:

So as a white person Drew Brees now has no right voicing his opinion, one that I agree with. Racism goes both ways, it just isn't covered so thoroughly by the media when it is the other way around. This is a complete S&it S%how in my opinion. What exactly did he say that was wrong, the National Anthem IMO is never a place to protest?

 

Here is the thing...and why you are very much wrong in this post.  You are not wrong in what the anthem means to you.  You are not wrong in what you choose to do during the anthem.  But you are categorically wrong in feeling everyone one else should share your OPINION and personal experience of what the anthem should mean to them.  

 

Its more than ok to believe in standing for the anthem, but I am willing to bet you don't stand for the anthem at home or at bars and only do at live games like 99% of the people who are upset at not standing during the anthem.  Again, nothing wrong with that either.  

 

But, its also more than ok for someone to have a different experience of the anthem and the issues that still are present in our country for minority individuals.  Its more than ok for someone to feel change needs to happen, and see the anthem as a way peacefully express their voice for that change to social injustice.

 

Not everyone thinks about the military when they hear the anthem, nor is that the purpose of the anthem.  Not everyone feels the anthem and its lyrics properly represent the modern country given there are still oppressive lyrics in the song that are hurtful to those of color.  Just like how people in the south enjoy the confederate flag as a symbol of their heritage because they grew up watching Dukes of Hazard or listening to country music where it was prevalent.  Doesn't change the fact that the confederate flag was actually the symbol of a political party that was fighting for the right to keep slaves and legally Lynch black folks.  And to the black community, the flag and symbols carry that darker connection.  

 

What Drew Brees said wasn't terrible by any means, he was honest about what the anthem means to him and his deep connection to military from his own life experiences, and they were all fine reasons.  What he did that was terrible, was PROJECT that connection across everyone else and not feel others have the right to feel differently or express different emotions.  His biggest crime was two fold with the second being utterly terrible judgement and timing in sharing his personal take and belief everyone should honor it the way HE does during such an emotionally charged time.

 

So...no disrespect, your personal views for yourself are more than ok.  But you projecting to demand others do the same as you would is where you are wrong.  There are no rules in life to how people experience things.  Everyone has different lenses shaped through lifes experiences.  And I bet you have never lost a family member or loved one because of the color of their skin...you were not harassed or arrested because of the color of skin...your people were not enslaved to build this country...your people were not divided in schools, restaurants and busses not that long ago.  So you cant ever have the same perspective as a black athlete will have with that very much in their family history and their day to day lives.  

 

So rather than hate those whose life has given them to a lens to see something different than you, how about we all try empathy and try and understand why they feel this way and give them the American Right of Freedom of Speech and Expression to make their own decisions and express their voices in their own ways.  

 

God bless.

 

PS:  I feel like Brees words were not ill willed and his apology was sincere.  I do not have an issue with Brees even though I feel strongly that his original statement was a poor decision and lacked any kind of self or social awareness in how it would make him look and affect those around him.

Edited June 5, 2020 by Alphadawg7

[SDS]

11 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

I did. It contained the same, old recycled garbage. Drew Brees needs to watch every word he says because we’re living in a world where martyrs have criminal rap sheets and multiple drugs in their system 

How’s this… If Drew Brees doesn’t want people to respond at what an asshat he is then he should phrase things differently or keep things to himself. He has a right to his opinion. When he shares his opinion because he wants other people to hear said opinion then other people have the right to respond.

 

Colin Kaepernick used to sit. Then a member of the military told him that kneeling would be more respectful, while honoring his protest. Again, a member of the military told him this. Could you point to another situation in life where kneeling is considered disrespectful? He literally says he doesn’t mean to be disrespectful and changed his action not to be disrespectful.

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/01/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-history/%3foutputType=amp

[Gugny]

12 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Hello, part of the problem.

 

What's your beef, @Meatloaf63 ?

[Shooter McGavin]

13 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Okay, I see what's going on here. You just had to go and reveal yourself.

 

Moving on.

I didn’t say anything that was inaccurate. I used facts. I suggest you use them to remove your blinders. 

[BillsFan130]

53 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I used to hang out with a bunch of them.

Very interesting. Thanks for the reply 

[K-9]

22 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

I did. It contained the same, old recycled garbage. Drew Brees needs to watch every word he says because we’re living in a world where martyrs have criminal rap sheets and multiple drugs in their system 

That is pitiful. Thanks for exposing your true colors. It will save a lot of time in the future. 

[nedboy7]

8 hours ago, Augie said:

 

He doesn’t make me uncomfortable at all. Who said that? If you want to be political at work, you will probably be gone. Pretty simple, really. 

 

I said it.   You are the one wishing he wouldn't bring it to "work".  Why?  Obviously it bothers you.  Own it.  And yes politics are talked at work all the time.  No one gets fired.  It is called having respect for other opinions.  He is not taking a ***** on the flag.  He is kneeling.  Is that less respectful than standing drunk for the flag? 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Billl said:

Is that the same Drew Brees who sued his mother because he didn’t want her using his likeness in her campaign commercials only to profit off of a book that focused heavily on her death?

 

Yep

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

 

Drew Brees has done a lot of good things. I don’t believe Drew Brees is a good person. Those things aren’t the same. He’s charitable. He’s a phony. Those are both true. He just had a rare misstep in the public eye. He accidentally showed everyone who he is. He’s done that a few times (suing his mom, Focus on Family, anthem protest). This isn’t “out of character” for Brees; this is who he is. He usually just is better at protecting his image.

The mother conflict is a little more complicated than you are making it out to be. Note attached link.  One version of the conflict is that he didn't want her to be his agent and represent her. And included in that story is that she had a history of financial shenanigans/deceit. As I'm sure you are well aware that family dynamics can be very complicated and difficult for outsiders to fully comprehend. 

 

I strenuously disagree with the beliefs of Focus on Family which he subscribes to, especially the anti-gay fixation. But there are a lot of people who base their beliefs using religion as the basis of their beliefs. They are entitled to their beliefs. Just because I don't subscribe to their restrictive views doesn't mean that they aren't entitled to have them. 

 

As far as his view on the anthem issue it is a stand that many people have. He took a stand on an issue that he narrowly framed within a military context without the wider context. And as others have said he demonstrated a tin ear in not carefully expressing himself on this topic in this volatile environment after a public murder. 

 

My worry is that in this social media reflexive response and manufactured outrage twitter world the pendulum can swing to a damaging point of stifling discourse and not allowing unpopular opinions from being expressed. It's not unusual that an opinion that is currently derided by the majority can in the future become a prevailing view.  

 

 

https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/death-of-drew-brees-mother-ruled-a-suicide-112109

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by JohnC

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Shooter McGavin said:

Did you really just tell another man what to say and how to act? What country is this?

 

He pointed out that Drew Brees had options for how to respond, including options that would express his personal beliefs while respecting his teammates different experience.

 

Do you feel that's a problem?

 

Obviously, since Drew Brees isn't here, he didn't literally tell "another man what to say and how to act" but he did express an opinion about it.  I think that's allowed; it seems common enough.

Drew Brees expressed an opinion.

Other people had a reaction to it - pissed them off mostly - and they expressed theirs.  That is how it works - in this country. 

 

 

 

 

[Augie]

11 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

 

 I said it.   You are the one wishing he wouldn't bring it to "work".  Why?  Obviously it bothers you.  Own it.  And yes politics are talked at work all the time.  No one gets fired.  It is called having respect for other opinions.  He is not taking a ***** on the flag.  He is kneeling.  Is that less respectful than standing drunk for the flag? 

You can say whatever you want. You are wrong. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable at all. It didn’t mess up my life. I hope and pray he’s happy with how it turned out for him. I don’t wish any ill will upon anyone.

 

If I used my platform working at a bank to promote my politics, it would last less than a day. This is not water cooler talk. This is taking the most visible platform available on national TV. If he wants to talk in the showers.....cool. How you do not see the obvious difference, I have no idea. Whatever. 

Edited June 5, 2020 by Augie

[Billl]

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

You can say whatever you want. You are wrong. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable at all. It didn’t mess up my life. I hope and pray he’s happy with how it turned out for him. I don’t wish any ill will upon anyone.

 

If I used my platform working at a bank to promote my politics, it would last less than a day. This is not water cooler talk. This is taking the most visible platform available on national TV. If he wants to talk in the showers.....cool. How you do not see the difference. I have no idea. Whatever. 

Clearly your bank doesn’t have a collective bargaining agreement.  NFL players do, so your circumstances are different.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Shooter McGavin said:

Shame on Drew Brees for expressing his opinion on what the flag personally means to him. He should be crucified for his actions for not having the same opinion as a cookie-cutter progressive! Shame on him!

Oh, brother....

 

Drew Brees is welcome to express his opinion on what the flag personally means to him.  He is also welcome to do what he did - which was to express his opinion on what the flag ought to mean to OTHER people and his interpretation of their behavior (disrespectful)

 

And then OTHER people with different opinions are also welcome to express their opinion of his opinion.

 

That is how it works, y'know? 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Billl said:

Clearly your bank doesn’t have a collective bargaining agreement.  NFL players do, so your circumstances are different.

 

OK, you tell me.....how did that work out for him? 

 

He’s not worth the bother. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Just now, Billl said:

Clearly your bank doesn’t have a collective bargaining agreement.  NFL players do, so your circumstances are different.

 

The previous NFL CBA amended in 2014  and the NFLPA approved seems to contain some very broad sweeping language - "It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. We are all held to a higher standard and must conduct ourselves in a way that is responsible, promotes the values of the NFL, and is lawful." "Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel. " is prohibited. 

Basically as far as I can tell, the code of conduct in the NFL CBA is so broad that pretty much any behavior the NFL considers to not promote the values of the NFL or to undermine the NFL can be subject to discipline.

[first_and_ten]

13 hours ago, billrooter said:

So as a white person Drew Brees now has no right voicing his opinion, one that I agree with. Racism goes both ways, it just isn't covered so thoroughly by the media when it is the other way around. This is a complete S&it S%how in my opinion. What exactly did he say that was wrong, the National Anthem IMO is never a place to protest?

 

"racism goes both ways"... Thanks for proving that this country has a long way to go. And thanks for the laugh.

[first_and_ten]

13 hours ago, billrooter said:

 

Why because we have different opinions, are you allowed to protest on the job or during the Anthem? IMO it is a slap in the face to everyone who has ever defended our rights.

 

Yes, he is allowed to take a knee if he would  like to during the anthem. And no, he isn't allowed to kneel at work because he has a job to do, what he's being paid for. If they do the anthem at his job, yes he does have to right to kneel. 

[Mr. WEO]

Brees just sent Fromm an Edible Arrangement

[Billl]

51 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

The previous NFL CBA amended in 2014  and the NFLPA approved seems to contain some very broad sweeping language - "It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. We are all held to a higher standard and must conduct ourselves in a way that is responsible, promotes the values of the NFL, and is lawful." "Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel. " is prohibited. 

Basically as far as I can tell, the code of conduct in the NFL CBA is so broad that pretty much any behavior the NFL considers to not promote the values of the NFL or to undermine the NFL can be subject to discipline.

Pretty sure that kneeling isn’t a “technically he wasn’t CONVICTED of a crime” situation.  He isn’t risking the integrity of the league by kneeling.  This is impossibly beyond even the broadest interpretation of the agreement.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 minutes ago, Billl said:

Pretty sure that kneeling isn’t a “technically he wasn’t CONVICTED of a crime” situation.  He isn’t risking the integrity of the league by kneeling.  This is impossibly beyond even the broadest interpretation of the agreement.

 

I ain't a lawyer, but "promotes the values of the NFL" can quite possibly mean anything the commissioner wants  it to mean. 

 

My point being, the NFL CBA is not as spelled-out as some of the other professional sports CBAs, so I'm not sure it can be counted upon to be protective.

 

[Billl]

1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I ain't a lawyer, but "promotes the values of the NFL" can quite possibly mean anything the commissioner wants  it to mean. 

 

My point being, the NFL CBA is not as spelled-out as some of the other professional sports CBAs, so I'm not sure it can be counted upon to be protective.

 

Sure, but it’s not analogous to working at a bank.  That’s a false equivalency.

[NoHuddleKelly12]

19 minutes ago, Billl said:

Pretty sure that kneeling isn’t a “technically he wasn’t CONVICTED of a crime” situation.  He isn’t risking the integrity of the league by kneeling.  This is impossibly beyond even the broadest interpretation of the agreement.

Depends on how the phrase “integrity of the league” is interpreted, imho. It could also encompass the financial wherewithal of the league for example, which between sponsorships/fan attendance being affected goes to the heart of what Goodell gets paid to protect the shield from—the owners’ bottom line is paramount. Also, as Hap pointed out, “values” as dictated by the NFL is about as nebulous as it gets. Terrible bargaining at the time by the NFLPA. 

[Billl]

1 minute ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said:

Depends on how the phrase “integrity of the league” is interpreted, imho. It could also encompass the financial wherewithal of the league for example, which between sponsorships/fan attendance being affected goes to the heart of what Goodell gets paid to protect the shield from—the owners’ bottom line is paramount. Also, as Hap pointed out, “values” as dictated by the NFL is about as nebulous as it gets. Terrible bargaining at the time by the NFLPA. 

Every word you said is true.  Still not the same as saying “I can’t protest while working as a teller at a bank”.  Not in any way compatible.

[Tcali]

15 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Oh man, seeing as the last 2 Brees threads were shut down I’m sure this one will last...

 

While I do think that we should have this discussion on here it can’t be on the main board. It’s WAY too divisive of a topic. Maybe PPP? Either way, this topic is going to do nothing but divide up the board and people are going to say some uncomfortable/uneducated stuff. 
 

I’ll just leave on this. Brees has never been the person that everyone thought. He has maintained a squeaky clean image but was never “Breesus” as some believed. There are some skeletons in that closet that have been tucked away. This may not end well for Drew...

 Someone cant speak out patriotically without digging up dirt for leverage? Thank you Drew for speaking out. But bad move kissing the arses of the PC crowd.

 

[Augie]

1 hour ago, first_and_ten said:

 

"racism goes both ways"... Thanks for proving that this country has a long way to go. And thanks for the laugh.

 

We really do have a long way to go, that’s certainly true. I hate this thread, because I hate the reality....but do you really think racism does not go both ways? I’m hoping I misunderstood, honestly.

 

I can give countless situations where I or my family were disadvantaged, endangered or threatened because of the color of our white skin. Anything from AAU basketball to regularly doing community work in underprivileged neighborhoods where I was threatened to a guy I previously liked at work telling me he was getting a Pitt to put fear in the eyes of guys like me. 

 

This is a mess, and I’m bowing out here for now. 

[Tcali]

11 hours ago, nedboy7 said:

 

I said it.   You are the one wishing he wouldn't bring it to "work".  Why?  Obviously it bothers you.  Own it.  And yes politics are talked at work all the time.  No one gets fired.  It is called having respect for other opinions.  He is not taking a ***** on the flag.  He is kneeling.  Is that less respectful than standing drunk for the flag? 

They have a right to kneel.But people cant also think they are spoiled rich punks. 

And when everyone kneels and puts pressure on others to do the same that is not bravery at all.

 

People really dont want to be lectured to by kids playing a kids game. Do I support their right to do it ? yes

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by Hapless Bills Fan
Politicized language

[Augie]

14 minutes ago, Billl said:

Every word you said is true.  Still not the same as saying “I can’t protest while working as a teller at a bank”.  Not in any way compatible.

 

Do you think you CAN or SHOULD BE  able to protest as a bank teller? That represents the bank in the eyes of the public. What if you have Democrats next to Republicans in adjoining windows? (HINT: they BOTH get fired.)  It makes me curious, what do you do for a living? 

 

 

.

Edited June 5, 2020 by Augie

[Doc Brown]

We're 23 pages in and it hasn't been moved to ppp yet.  This is the progress Kaepernick was hoping for.

[Paup 1995MVP]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

 

Drew Brees has done a lot of good things. I don’t believe Drew Brees is a good person. Those things aren’t the same. He’s charitable. He’s a phony. Those are both true. He just had a rare misstep in the public eye. He accidentally showed everyone who he is. He’s done that a few times (suing his mom, Focus on Family, anthem protest). This isn’t “out of character” for Brees; this is who he is. He usually just is better at protecting his image.

Why is Drew Brees not a good person?   I personally do not know a lot about the man.  He sure has been an iconic figure in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.   And didn't he and his wife donate a ton of money to help fight the Corona Virus in Louisiana?  He comes off as a good family man kind of guy.  Great football player, leader on the team.  What am I missing?   He certainly has a right to be against people not standing for the National Anthem.  And for the life of me I can not see why that view would be considered racist in the slightest.  Americans should all be patriotic.  Doesn't matter what color race religion you are.  This is the greatest country in the world.  And I am wayyyy fukin proud whenever I see the Stars and Stripes flying, whether from the back of a car, someone's house, or from a building, anywhere!! It is for ALL Americans of all walks of life and all races.  And if people have a problem with loving the American Flag and all that it stands for, I have a big problem with you.  Don't burn it, don't desecrate it, don't disrespect it.  Period.  The American flag does not discriminate.  It loves all who are Americans.  

 

This is a GREAT country.  It is not a perfect country. (there is no such thing)  Sure there are some bad cops.  And some are racist.  Similar to the rest of society.  And the cops in Minnesota certainly deserved to be punished to the fullest extent of the law for the horrible crime they committed against George Floyd.  It was absolutely despicable. But that in no way diminishes our country and the good that the overwhelming majority of people stand for and believe in every day regardless of their color.  Not the anarchy that has enveloped many areas by a small portion of misguided souls.  Because regardless of what the media wants to portray on the news and all other platforms,  the overwhelming majority of people just want to live their lives, stay healthy and make a god dam living.   

    

[78thealltimegreat]

My problem with Colin kneeling was never his protest it was him wearing Che’ Guevara T-shirts...for those don’t remember history Che’ ironically used secret police to stomp down opponents and many times throw them in jail or worse...so dude was a massive massive hypocrite more then anything  

[Augie]

34 minutes ago, Tcali said:

They have a right to kneel.But people cant also think they are spoiled rich punks. 

And when everyone kneels and puts pressure on others to do the same that is not bravery at all.

 

People really dont want to be lectured to by kids playing a kids game. Do I support their right to do it ? yes

right on Augie...Hiopefully some day minorities will realize that the social justice warriors kissing their arses are like the flatterers that Dante talks about in his writings.Phonies all of them.

 

My first generation Lebanese wife grew up a Catholic in rural South Carolina. Her grandfather had a crossed burned in his front yard. He scared them off with a shot gun, put out the fire and took the “perfectly good wood” to the barn to be be repurposed.

 

I learned today, after 35 years of marriage, her high school coach nicknamed her “A-Rab”.  That is what he called her every day.  I asked why I had never heard that, and she said she hated it so much she just pushed ahead, determined that much more to succeed. She has been a HIGHLY successful professional. 

 

Jerks are everywhere. YOU decide how you move forward in life. You may get some breaks, you may not, but you make your own decisions. 

 

.

Edited June 5, 2020 by Augie