[ColdNoMore]

In the previous thread, the moderator rightfully stated...

Originally Posted by Moderator

This thread has strayed very far from the original topic. The bulk of the latest posts are more appropriate for other ongoing threads. This thread is closed.

In that vein, and following the moderator's reasonable request, let's address Drew's latest comment...made on Friday night.

While I've never really personally been a Brees fan, although I certainly respect his legacy as a top tier quarterback, I will always have the utmost respect for anyone who is willing to apologize for their remarks when they are wrong and then in the face of massive opposing pressure (and a very real possibility of adverse financial impacts)...stand up for honesty, integrity, ethics...and wanting to do the right thing.

It takes a lot of honesty/integrity/ethics & guts and courage...to do what Drew Brees has done.

“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,” Brees wrote.

“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.”

So please stay on topic this time.

Thank you.

[JimJohnson]

His apology was appropriate. He rightly recognized that kneeling during the anthem was not disrespectful. I served Proudly for 22 years In the US Army and totally support Kaepernick in his protest. It is hard for some to see the good that comes from peaceful protest. No one is more proud of the American flag than I am and I am overjoyed if using the flag or the national anthem to bring attention to the horrible problem of police brutality helps. We all should take a knee against any form of discrimination.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by JimJohnson

His apology was appropriate. He rightly recognized that kneeling during the anthem was not disrespectful. I served Proudly for 22 years In the US Army and totally support Kaepernick in his protest. It is hard for some to see the good that comes from peaceful protest. No one is more proud of the American flag than I am and I am overjoyed if using the flag or the national anthem to bring attention to the horrible problem of police brutality helps. We all should take a knee against any form of discrimination.

If only more people had been smart enough (less prejudiced?) to concentrate on the REAL issue for the kneeling, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to deflect and attack another black person who was speaking out against injustice...we might not be where we are right now.

[JimJohnson]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

If only more people had been smart enough (less prejudiced?) to concentrate on the REAL issue for the kneeling, instead of seeing it as an opportunity to deflect and attack another black person who was speaking out against injustice...we might not be where we are right now.

I know, but unfortunately there are some that use confusion for wrong doing.

[Klatu]

DB was speaking from the heart as he thought of his relatives and their fighting for a country that CK was disrespecting with his protest and his anti-police sentiment. He changed direction because like a lot of people, the heat he received caused him to try to make amends. Of course, no matter how you change what you say/believe in order to satisfy the PC/woke mob, you cannot appease them enough, ever. Patriotism and pride of country are not values of the left. But they are to a whole lot of people.

[Stu from NYC]

IMHO lots of ways to protest but kneeling facing the flag is not the way to protest.

[Two Bills]

Sounds to me he has a very good lawyer/agent who is highly qualified in damage limitation.
To my mind you do not do 180 degree turns on opinions expressed, unless you are under outside pressure, or threat.
In which case Mr. Brees is not showing honesty, integrity, and ethics, but just cynically protecting his assets and image.

[Klatu]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Sounds to me he has a very good lawyer/agent who is highly qualified in damage limitation.
To my mind you do not do 180 degree turns on opinions expressed, unless you are under outside pressure, or threat.
In which case Mr. Brees is not showing honesty, integrity, and ethics, but just cynically protecting his assets and image.

More than likely. He was reminded, by someone, that his team is affected by his comments. "Let's not handicap our team before the season even starts, Drew. Some of your team mates will be upset, also some of the sponsors (who themselves are afraid) and some of the lefty loons who will urge boycotts, et. Do something, Drew."

We might want to fault him for changing direction but I understand. He was not hired to take principled stands; he was hired because he is terrific qb. And which of us might not buckle if our livelihood, our future, our friendships and our family were not in jeopardy from the mob?

[GoodLife]

Since we are rehashing an old thread, do we need to go over the math again for these numbers?



I wonder if Drew has seen these stats.

I've changed my mind, I don't think Drew made the apology to protect his sponsorships.

He did it for self preservation. When you have 300 pound guys coming that want to tear your head off, you want to be sure your 300 pound blockers are well motivated.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by GoodLife

Since we are rehashing an old thread, do we need to go over the math again for these numbers?

Attachment 84490

I wonder if Drew has seen these stats.

I've changed my mind, I don't think Drew made the apology to protect his sponsorships.

He did it for self preservation. When you have 300 pound guys coming that want to tear your head off, you want to be sure your 300 pound blockers are well motivated.

Good point self protection is rather important.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Sounds to me he has a very good lawyer/agent who is highly qualified in damage limitation.
To my mind you do not do 180 degree turns on opinions expressed, unless you are under outside pressure, or threat.
In which case Mr. Brees is not showing honesty, integrity, and ethics, but just cynically protecting his assets and image.

Originally Posted by Klatu

More than likely. He was reminded, by someone, that his team is affected by his comments. "Let's not handicap our team before the season even starts, Drew. Some of your team mates will be upset, also some of the sponsors (who themselves are afraid) and some of the lefty loons who will urge boycotts, et. Do something, Drew."

We might want to fault him for changing direction but I understand. He was not hired to take principled stands; he was hired because he is terrific qb. And which of us might not buckle if our livelihood, our future, our friendships and our family were not in jeopardy from the mob?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I'm hearing is that only primarily some type of "outside financial/other personal pressure"...can influence someone to change their minds?

NOT a reevaluation of one's personal viewpoint, brought about by truly listening to other viewpoints...and being big enough to admit that your original viewpoint wasn't correct?

IMHO, it's akin to the same philosophy of "never admit to being wrong or of having an honest change of heart, because it's a sign of weakness" and is the main reason...we have so many problems right now (and historically).

Newsflash, 'intractability' and being unwilling to have the courage to admit when one is wrong, or not being willing to even listen and evaluate other people's valid positions, particularly when it's done in the face of so much peer/financial pressure to stick with your original position...IS NOT an admirable personal trait.

In fact, being THAT way is what truly shows and exposes a...real weakness of character.

Kap was willing to lose it all, standing (or kneeling as it were)...because he felt so strongly about it.

How many others of you out there, have that kind of inner strength and conviction...in taking a stand against injustice or inequality?

I guess that is basically a rhetorical question, if you're not one of those with a strong base of honor/ethics/integrity and who knows that they will never have to worry about being on the ugly end...of that injustice and inequality.

[camaguey48]

Mr. Quarterback should have kept his mouth closed. Now that there was backlash, he lost his spine and acquiesced to the pc mob.
Mr. Quarterback has been sacked for a loss. His blockers would somehow miss a block and his receivers would somehow drop passes.

[Bay Kid]

This is why I record all sports. I fast forward the antics and try to enjoy the game.

[coalminer]

A. Real man, a good man, will take responsibility and apologize for his mistakes. That's what Brees did. Very refreshing.

[Reggie2383]

It is a pretty sad day when someone has to apologize for stating he loves his country in order to appease a mob. If this protest is not about the flag then why take a knee in front of the flag and the anthem?I think he was spineless and he should have kept his mouth shut in the first place.
As for Kap , he had no business making his debut about social justice by using NFL airtime. He caused more damage and divide then not. How about this. If he is so brave and believes in his cause so much, how about taking the some to spend some of the large amount of money he earns and go back to the communities he professes to care so much about and start doing real ground work. Help to better those by bringing a role model whose ethic is hard work and self worth. He could pay these kids to clean up their communities for starters. There’s lot of good he do but the has get off his knees first.