Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin had some strong words for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees after Brees said he would “never” agree with NFL players kneeling in protest during the national anthem.
Baldwin said Brees' message only serves to “perpetuate the cycle,” also calling Brees himself part of the problem, via Twitter.
https://twitter.com/DougBaldwinJr/status/1268276006831316992
Brees initiated a social media blackout on Tuesday in solidarity with Black Americans. But his comments on Wednesday have come across as hypocritical and insensitive.
The NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns cited his grandfather's military service as a reason for his disagreement with kneeling during the anthem.
But, as new teammate Malcolm Jenkins said on Instagram, those comments miss the mark. After all, plenty of Black Americans have also served in the military, only to return to a country wrought with racial injustice.
Jenkins' post has since been deleted, but plenty of other players have spoken out against Brees' message. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers alluded to Brees' words in an Instagram post of his own, saying these peaceful protests have “NEVER” been about the flag.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_Mq6ip8J6/
Baldwin fears Brees' understanding will trickle down in terms of what he teaches his kids, which would stagnate any sense of understanding.
Or, as Baldwin said, the world will still fail to “empathize” with his children's pain.
Plenty of athletes have made their voices heard in the last week amid protests and cries for change after George Floyd's death last Monday in Minneapolis.
Baldwin might have cruised into retirement, but he is still holding former peers such as Brees accountable.
Follow Us
Subscribe