NFL: 2020 NFL off-season news & notes discussion thread (Cowboys & Texans players have COVID-19)

[EpochLink]

 

[SouthGeorge]

Not about the flag but kneeling during the anthem/when nobody is paying attention. Why not before the game? After? After you score a touchdown or big play?

Brees is tone deaf but nothing he said was wrong. We don't need another sports season riddled with kneeling. These week long protest have done way more than some athletes/fake activist kneeling. Another year where NFL players must kneel but the NBA gets away with doing nothing. The 1st league to have a player kneel, blackballed him from the league, and has rules in place so NBA players don't kneel. That's why none did in 2019 but where was the outrage? Oh yeah, whatever Lebron tweets goes and that's the beloved NBA. NBA associates have said way worse during this time and been fired. Where was the beehive social media mentality? Everybody jumping on them? Oh yeah.. It's the NBA.

 

[DueDiligence]

Well Drew is certainly going to be popular in the Saints dressing room!

 

[MikeyMike01]

I guess all that open-dialogue, listen-to-what-others-have-to-say stuff we’ve been hearing so much this week doesn’t apply to Drew Brees.

 

[Say Hey Kid]

• QB Wilson shuns football talk, opens up on race
• Broncos' Fangio: 'should have been more clear'
• Brees: Will never agree with disrespecting flag
• Seahawks' Carroll: We all owe a lot to Kaepernick
• Prescott pledges $1M for police training, reform
• Retired Kuechly considers job as Panthers scout

 

[Bakayoko Ono]

What was Brees thinking? Whatever you truly think or believe, just release a generic statement crafted by a PR specialist and move on. In his position, you have to identify the existing situation; you can't publicly say anything that in any way doesn't fit the popular, dominant narrative. He'll denounce his today's statement/opinion tomorrow, though.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I guess all that open-dialogue, listen-to-what-others-have-to-say stuff we’ve been hearing so much this week doesn’t apply to Drew Brees.

Oh we listened. That doesn't mean we need to respect terrible opinions.

 

[JayfromNB1219]

I guess all that open-dialogue, listen-to-what-others-have-to-say stuff we’ve been hearing so much this week doesn’t apply to Drew Brees.

what are you talking about? there was literally nothing wrong with what he said...in fact everyone in North America thinks that situation was an absolute travesty...he spoke about not kneeling for the anthem...sorry but blaming a country for the actions of a crappy cop is stupid and tone deaf...much less blaming an entire skin color which is what this has turned into at this point for the same thing...there are shitty cops and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no need to disrespect the flag or anthem though, doesn't accomplish anything and just leaves bitter tastes in peoples mouths

 

[MikeyMike01]

what are you talking about? there was literally nothing wrong with what he said...in fact everyone in North America thinks that situation was an absolute travesty...he spoke about not kneeling for the anthem...sorry but blaming a country for the actions of a crappy cop is stupid and tone deaf...much less blaming an entire skin color which is what this has turned into at this point for the same thing...there are shitty cops and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, no need to disrespect the flag or anthem though, doesn't accomplish anything and just leaves bitter tastes in peoples mouths

It doesn’t sound like you disagree with me.

 

[JayfromNB1219]

I pro

It doesn’t sound like you disagree with me.

I probably misread what you wrote honestly...everyone piling on the dude has me riled up...you wont find a much better human being in the NFL than Drew Brees in all honesty...
All the stupidity that this travesty has brought on is driving me nuts...like ffs i live in the boonies in Canada and we are preparing for protests over a bad cop in Minnesota, and that's literally all it was
now the SJW crowd has gotten ahold of it and want to make it about something completely different than what it is...it should be a discussion about police tactics when it comes to subduing a suspect...not about GD black vs white in America

 

[spintheblackcircle]

great string of thoughts by him

 

[GKJ]

Not about the flag but kneeling during the anthem/when nobody is paying attention. Why not before the game? After? After you score a touchdown or big play?

Brees is tone deaf but nothing he said was wrong. We don't need another sports season riddled with kneeling. These week long protest have done way more than some athletes/fake activist kneeling. Another year where NFL players must kneel but the NBA gets away with doing nothing. The 1st league to have a player kneel, blackballed him from the league, and has rules in place so NBA players don't kneel. That's why none did in 2019 but where was the outrage? Oh yeah, whatever Lebron tweets goes and that's the beloved NBA. NBA associates have said way worse during this time and been fired. Where was the beehive social media mentality? Everybody jumping on them? Oh yeah.. It's the NBA.

LeBron built a school. And 2300 graduates are getting scholarships to Akron. He’s far above twitter clapbacks.

The reason the protests during the flag became a lesser issue is because the NFL worked with the players on their issues and developed a number of social programs. So Jenkins and most of the rest them were willing to stop as they felt those goals were accomplished provided work would continue. Kaepernick and Eric Reid disagreed, which resulted in Reid confronting Jenkins in the field. Obviously, while progress was made, as we’ve seen they still have a point too.

Otherwise, if someone is going to be the arbiter of when someone cannot protest, expect a protest at that time

 

[NJDevs26]

What puzzles me about this Brees thing is, didn't he make his opinion known on the anthem kneeling during the initial fiasco? Why is this such a revelation now? It's obviously even more tone-deaf to say it publicly now but I can't believe his teammates didn't know he felt this way already.

 

[NJDevs26]

And btw lol at Vic Fangio...no racism in the NFL? For starters, how many 60-year old black men become first-time head coaches?

 

[EpochLink]

And btw lol at Vic Fangio...no racism in the NFL? For starters, how many 60-year old black men become first-time head coaches?

Yeah that Fangio thing, I cringed hard when he said their ain’t no racism in the NFL.

Yikes.

 

[SouthGeorge]

LeBron built a school. And 2300 graduates are getting scholarships to Akron. He’s far above twitter clapbacks.

The reason the protests during the flag became a lesser issue is because the NFL worked with the players on their issues and developed a number of social programs. So Jenkins and most of the rest them were willing to stop as they felt those goals were accomplished provided work would continue. Kaepernick and Eric Reid disagreed, which resulted in Reid confronting Jenkins in the field. Obviously, while progress was made, as we’ve seen they still have a point too.

Otherwise, if someone is going to be the arbiter of when someone cannot protest, expect a protest at that time

Lebron is like Jay Z. They make decisions based on their bottom line and twist the narrative to fit. Speaking of which, Jay Z said last year we are past kneeling and Brees is getting killed for his comments? Why isn't Jay Z and Beyonce cancelled? Oh yeah because that's Jay Z and Queen B.

Go to Lebrons social media and no post out protesting with the people. Multiple things happened in the NBA community.. Announcer fired for saying ALM and somebody who covers the league cheered them burning the hood but they were "animals" when they attacked his gated community. Not a peep from Lebron but he rushes to bash the NFL player? If you can't see what's going on..

 

[SouthGeorge]

What puzzles me about this Brees thing is, didn't he make his opinion known on the anthem kneeling during the initial fiasco? Why is this such a revelation now? It's obviously even more tone-deaf to say it publicly now but I can't believe his teammates didn't know he felt this way already.

Nobody knows besides the horrible optics given what's going on. Social media hive mind got a hold of it and now everybody is coming out of the woodworks to bash him today because it's the new IN thing to do today on social media.

 

[MXD]

Brees should've sticked to sports.

 

[GKJ]

Lebron is like Jay Z. They make decisions based on their bottom line and twist the narrative to fit. Speaking of which, Jay Z said last year we are past kneeling and Brees is getting killed for his comments? Why isn't Jay Z and Beyonce cancelled? Oh yeah because that's Jay Z and Queen B.

Go to Lebrons social media and no post out protesting with the people. Multiple things happened in the NBA community.. Announcer fired for saying ALM and somebody who covers the league cheered them burning the hood but they were "animals" when they attacked his gated community. Not a peep from Lebron but he rushes to bash the NFL player? If you can't see what's going on..

So LeBron is like every other NFL owner? All of which have a machine that prints money in their office.


Brees is getting killed for his comments because he made it about himself while also claiming that kneeling for the flag inherent disrespect for it. Regurgitating taking points and misappropriating their message. If Kaepernick’s intention was to disrespect the flag, he would’ve walked out to the 50 yard line, spit on it, try to burn it, wipe his ass, whatever. The idea of kneeling even came from a veteran (Nate Boyer). Yesterday (Tuesday), Brees participated in the black out on his socials because “solidarity” and before most people were up in the morning, comments he made were out there that revealed that he wasn’t listening (or at least didn’t hear the message) whether it be this week or 4 years ago. It sent the message that he was insincere and/or more concerned with his brand.

On the other side, there is then the insinuation that Brees was not allowed to have his opinion. Openly pontificating that someone is being an asshole is not denying their right to an opinion. I believe there would have been nothing wrong if he simply said he disagreed with doing it while making it clear that he understood why it was happening - not unlike when people are trashing stores, you don’t have to agree with it understand it, and to do that is to enable a solution. Jenkins told to shut the f*** up because he was making it obvious Brees’ comments was disruptive to the message. When emotions are high, things get said, that’s why he made another video because he knew people would talk about that.

Whatever he and Jenkins talked about prior to any of the videos certainly didn’t dissuade him to change his messaging. Only how he himself reacted.

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

I am honestly disgusted by the treatment Brees is receiving from his teammates, Saints fans and other people bashing him all day. This guy has contributed so much to that community has donated countless millions to help the city and basically saved the city after Katrina. Now he is being labeled a racist because he does not agree with kneeling during the national anthem? Did he really need to say this now? No. Does he really understand what it is like to be a victim of racism? Probably not. But the guy did not say anything that was truly offensive. At best, bad timing, at worst, he is tone deaf and slightly ignorant to the cause. But there was nothing disparaging or insulting or racist in what he said.
He just gave his opinion on something and now is being blackballed for it. Does the freedom of speech not also apply to him and others who feel that way? It only applies to those who want to protest? Everybody else has no right to say anything or express how they feel? To me that is the highest level of hypocrisy.

 

[DoyleG]

LeBron built a school. And 2300 graduates are getting scholarships to Akron. He’s far above twitter clapbacks.

Yet his comments about China shows how weak he is in regards to social media reactions.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

I am honestly disgusted by the treatment Brees is receiving from his teammates, Saints fans and other people bashing him all day.

He earned it

This guy has contributed so much to that community has donated countless millions to help the city and basically saved the city after Katrina. Now he is being labeled a racist because he does not agree with kneeling during the national anthem?

Harvey Weinstein produced a lot of great films. Then I found out he's a sexual predator. Does the former cancel out the latter?

Did he really need to say this now? No. Does he really understand what it is like to be a victim of racism? Probably not.

Bingo. He didn't need to say it -- it was the absolute worst time to say it, but he had no problem saying it. That is very indicative of his feelings on what's happening right now.

But the guy did not say anything that was truly offensive.

Says you (and Drew Brees)

At best, bad timing, at worst, he is tone deaf and slightly ignorant to the cause

Slightly?

But there was nothing disparaging or insulting or racist in what he said.

There's an implication with his statement. The implication being "Yeah your POC problems suck and all, but standing with good posture in front of that flag is way more important that POCs being disproportionately murdered and incarcerated"

He just gave his opinion on something and now is being blackballed for it

1) His opinion diminishes the struggle of many of his teammates as human beings
2) He isn't being blackballed. He's employed making millions and will likely continue to be the Saints QB. He's getting deserved backlash.

Does the freedom of speech not also apply to him and others who feel that way? It only applies to those who want to protest?

Freedom of speech does not mean acceptance of speech. It works both ways - he says what he wants, Twitter and the rest of the world replies how they want. If someone else shares the opinion, I'm sure they'll get similar replies (but his are enhanced because he's a celebrity, as with anything else).

Everybody else has no right to say anything or express how they feel? To me that is the highest level of hypocrisy.

Sorry?

 

[Satan'sIsland81]

He earned it



Harvey Weinstein produced a lot of great films. Then I found out he's a sexual predator. Does the former cancel out the latter?



Bingo. He didn't need to say it -- it was the absolute worst time to say it, but he had no problem saying it. That is very indicative of his feelings on what's happening right now.



Says you (and Drew Brees)



Slightly?


There's an implication with his statement. The implication being "Yeah your POC problems suck and all, but standing with good posture in front of that flag is way more important that POCs being disproportionately murdered and incarcerated"



1) His opinion diminishes the struggle of many of his teammates as human beings
2) He isn't being blackballed. He's employed making millions and will likely continue to be the Saints QB. He's getting deserved backlash.



Freedom of speech does not mean acceptance of speech. It works both ways - he says what he wants, Twitter and the rest of the world replies how they want. If someone else shares the opinion, I'm sure they'll get similar replies (but his are enhanced because he's a celebrity, as with anything else).



Sorry?

You are comparing a convicted rapist to a man who said that he stands for the national anthem because he feels that is how he honors his grandparents who fought in World War II? And you are saying he is not being blackballed, maybe he wont be, but I see a large majority of people saying he should lose his job for stating his opinion on honoring the flag and country.
And I just want to be clear this is coming from someone who understands the protesting and why it is happening and supports the right to protest peacefully. I also personally have no problem with the kneeling for the national anthem. But others who feel differently should not be attacked for saying how they feel. Brees did not say I do not like Black people or that Black people dishonor America or some stereotyping wide-ranging disparaging remark like that. He said how he felt for him personally and how he would never kneel for the anthem. Does he not have that right? Now we are telling people that they HAVE to protest? That if you do not go out and protest or participate in the protests that you are a racist. I am not going out and protesting, does that make me a racist? It is absurd. The whole movement going on is about not categorizing a group of people and singling them out for abuse of power and brutality from the police and others assuming they are a threat when they are unarmed and not doing anything wrong. But then it is okay to do the exact same thing from the opposite side and call anyone who does not make statement exactly as expected or protest in the right way or do something for the cause, that you are a racist or privileged?

 

[Albatros]

Brees is perfectly entitled to his opinion and free to express it. Yet if others find his obtuse display of white privilege offensive, so are they.

 

[GKJ]

Yet his comments about China shows how weak he is in regards to social media reactions.

As I vaguely alluded to later, people with a lot of money like getting more of it. Never said I agreed with every word he said. He’s put his best foot forward in his community.

Brees was once won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, they don’t just give that to anyone. The situation is what it is in short because he failed to read the room and getting called out in it.