Malik Jackson Can’t Wait to Play Drew Brees This Season After QB’s Controversial Comments
Drew Brees started a media firestorm last week with his insensitive comments about NFL players protesting the national anthem. His own Saints teammates even spoke out against the QB publicly. A day later, Brees apologized for his comments and took back what he said. Many NFL players forgave the future Hall of Famer right away, but some aren’t that easy. Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackle Malik Jackson said on Monday he doesn’t accept Brees’ apology. In fact, Jackson even said he’s circling Dec. 13 on his calendar— the date Brees and the Saints come to Philly.
Drew Brees’ comments and immediate apology
Last week, Drew Brees angered a ton of NFL players with his insensitive comments on the national anthem protests. Brees spoke with Yahoo! Finance’s Daniel Roberts last Wednesday and revealed his opinion on Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the anthem.
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America,” Brees said.
Immediately after his comments went viral, NFL players from all over the league chimed in. Even Brees’ teammates condemned his statement and called for an apology. He gave them one the next day.
I stand with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality and support the creation of real policy change that will make a difference. I condemn the years of oppression that have taken place throughout our black communities and still exists today.”I acknowledge that we as Americans, including myself, have not done enough to fight for that equality or to truly understand the struggles and plight of the black community. I recognize that I am part of the solution and can be a leader for the black community in this movement.I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or raise black children in America but I will work every day to put myself in those shoes and fight for what is right.
Drew Brees
It was clear Brees meant no offense with his comments, but Malik Jackson isn’t buying his apology.
Malik Jackson doesn’t forgive Brees, says he’s ‘excited’ to play against him
Most of Brees’ teammates accepted his apology immediately, but Malik Jackson sure didn’t. The Eagles’ DT spoke with Jeff Skversky of 6abc Monday, and he was asked about Brees’ comments and his subsequent apology.
I lost a lot of respect for Drew Brees. A great player, but very insensitive about the times and where he stands. My great-granddaddy and dad fought in the war too, and they were getting spit on at the same time. I understand where you’re coming from. But I said ‘F you’ for your mindset. You’re still not understanding where we’re coming from after three years of trying to talk about this and get notoriety. You’re still talking about kneeling for a flag. A flag that has oppressed people.
Malik Jackson
Jackson went on to say he’ll have some choice words for Brees when the two face each other later this year.
The Eagles and Saints are scheduled to play each other in December
On Dec. 13, Brees and the Saints will travel to Philadelphia to play Jackson’s Eagles. Jackson now has more of a reason to want to sack Brees when the two face off this season.
“Definitely excited playing [the Saints] in the year,” Jackson said. “I’m gonna have a lot to say. Hopefully, I don’t get too wild with it.”
Jackson went on to say he knows plenty of racist players in the NFL. He doesn’t know how that’s still possible with the number of black players in the league today.
“I don’t understand how you can say that when you have people blocking for you that are black, when you have people catching the ball from you that are black, when you have people running the ball for you that are black,” Jackson said.
Brees might have made up with his Saints teammates, but Jackson isn’t as easily convinced. He will be extra motivated to get to the QB when the two match up in December.
