Malcolm Jenkins responds to Drew Brees: “Sometimes you should shut the fuck up”

Drew Brees caused a stir on Wednesday with an ignorant response to a media question about the potential increase in national anthem protests this upcoming season. Instead of acknowledging how black players are protesting the unacceptable levels of racism and police brutality in the United States, Brees said the following in an interview with Yahoo Finance:

“Well, I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag or the United States of America. Let me just tell you what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played and when I look at the flag of the United States. I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II, one in the army, and one in the marine corps. Both risking our lives to protect our county and try to try to make our country and this world a better place. So, every time I stand with my hand over my heart look at that flag, and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about. And in many cases it brings me to tears. Thinking about all that has been sacrificed. Not just those in the military. But for that matter, those in the civil rights movements in the [1960s]. And everyone and all that has been endured by so many people up to this point. And is everything right with our country now? No, it is not, we still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart is that it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together. We can all do better. And that we are all part of the solution.”

Many promptly roasted Brees for missing the message of anthem demonstrations. Including former Philadelphia Eagles safety and once again New Orleans Saints teammate Malcolm Jenkins, who was recently seen marching in Philly’s protests. Jenkins, as you know, previously demonstrated during the anthem by holding his fist in the air.

“I’ma try to compose myself ... because, quite frankly, I’m hurt. I’m not okay. I saw Drew Brees’s comments and they were extremely disappointing. Extremely self-centered and shows a lack of awareness or care. [...] 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 fuck up.”

Really wish this guy was still a member of the Eagles.

Watch Jenkins’ full response to Brees below:

More reactions to Brees’ comments, including some from current Eagles players: