Drew Brees Kneels Down During Anthem & Blacks Takes Offense Because Of George Floyd Scandal

After earlier sharing a message of unity on social media, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees attracted backlash Wednesday when he reiterated his stance on how he will "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America" during an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Brees' comments came when he was asked during the interview to revisit former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's 2016 protest of police brutality against minorities, in which Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem before games. Brees' remarks on the flag drew a sharp rebuke on social media across the sports landscape, including from Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

Brees gave a lengthy response to ESPN when asked about the perceived conflict between his stances -- including a potential divide in his locker room, where players like Malcolm Jenkins and Demario Davis are among the leaders of the players' coalition seeking social justice and racial equality.

"I love and respect my teammates, and I stand right there with them in regards to fighting for racial equality and justice," Brees said. "I also stand with my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other military men and women who do it on a daily basis."

An emotional Jenkins, in a video that has since been deleted from social media, said he was "hurt" by Brees' comments and that they were "extremely self-centered."

"Our communities are under siege and we need help," Jenkins said in the deleted video. "And what you're telling us is don't ask for help that way, ask for it a different way. I can't listen to it when you ask that way. We're done asking, Drew. And people who share your sentiments, who express those, and push them throughout the world, the airwaves, are the problem.

"And it's unfortunate because I considered you a friend. I looked up to you. You're somebody who I had a great deal of respect for. But sometimes you should shut the f--- up."

Jenkins said the video was made just prior to Brees reaching out to him to discuss his point of view, but Jenkins still originally posted it "because it's important for anyone who wants to consider themself an ally to know how these words and actions affect those you want to help."

Jenkins then deleted the original video and later posted an updated one, saying "even though we're teammates, I can't let this slide."