We’ve already heard from one former Ohio State player when it comes to quick reactions to comments New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made about flag demonstrations during the national anthem. Former OSU and current Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas criticized his quarterback on Twitter for comments he made while performing an interview with Yahoo.
But he wasn’t the only former Buckeye to speak out. Former All-American defensive back Malcolm Jenkins also had some very choice words (graphic language) for the comments Brees made while the country deals with the fallout and protests surrounding the tragic death of African American George Floyd while in police custody.
Jenkins took to Twitter to convey his disgust and dismay for Brees being out of touch on the situation in America. The following page has the complete context of Jenkins comments.
Next … Malcolm Jenkins’ comments about Brees interview
Malcolm Jenkins’ full context in reaction to Drew Brees interview
“I promise you this — the onslaught of (expletive) that we have to deal with is (expletive) crazy right now,” said Jenkins. “Drew Brees, if you don’t understand how hurtful, how insensitive your comments are, you are part of the problem. To think that, because your grandfathers served in this country and you have a great respect for the flag and that everybody else should have the same ideals and thoughts that you do is ridiculous. And it shows that you don’t know history. Because when our grandfathers fought for this country and they served, and they came back — they didn’t come back to a hero’s welcome. They came back and got attacked for wearing their uniforms. They came back to people — to racism, to complete violence.”
“And then here we are in 2020 with the whole country on fire and everybody witnessing a black man dying — being murdered at the hands of the police, just in cold blood for everybody to see. The whole country’s on fire and the first thing you do is criticize one’s peaceful protest? That was years ago when we were trying to signal a sign for help, and signal for our allies and our white brothers and sisters — the people we considered to be friends to get involved. It was ignored. And here we are now with the world on fire and you still continue to first criticize how we peacefully protest because it doesn’t fit in what you do, and your beliefs without ever acknowledging the effect that a man was murdered at the hands of the police in front of us all that it has been continuing for centuries. That the same brothers that you break the huddle down with before every single game, the same guys that you bleed with and go into battle with every single day — go home to communities that have been decimated.”
“Drew, unfortunately, you’re somebody who doesn’t understand your privilege. You don’t understand the potential that you have to actually be an advocate for the people that you call brothers. You don’t understand the history, and why people like me, people of my skin color, whose grandfathers fought for this country, who served — and I still protested against — not the national anthem, but against what was happening in America and what the fabric of this country is for, or stands for. If you don’t understand that other people experience something totally different than you — then when you talk about the brotherhood and all this other (expletive), it’s just lip service or it’s only on the field.”
“Because when we step off this field and I take my helmet off, I’m a black man walking around America and I’m telling you I’m dealing with these things, I’m telling you my communities are dealing with these things. And your response to me is don’t talk about that here? This is not the place? Drew, where is the place Drew? I’m disappointed. I’m hurt. Because while the world tells you that you’re not worthy, that your life doesn’t matter, the last place you want to hear it from are the guys that you go to war with, that you consider to be allies and to be your friends. Even though we’re teammates, I can’t let this slide.”
It sure will be interesting to see how this all plays out when teams get back to their facilities to begin workouts, and where it goes as preparations for the season begin.
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