New Orleans Saints' Malcolm Jenkins to teammate Drew Brees: 'You're part of the problem'

New Orleans Saints' Malcolm Jenkins to teammate Drew Brees: 'You're part of the problem'

New Orleans Saints' Malcolm Jenkins to teammate Drew Brees: 'You're part of the problem'

Amid a chorus of criticism Wednesday for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, perhaps the most stinging came from teammate Malcolm Jenkins.

Responding to Brees comments in a Yahoo Finance interview in which the NFLs all- time leading passer made it clear he wouldnt be in favor of players taking a knee during the national anthem this season– as they have in the past to protest racial injustice and police brutality– Jenkins delivered an emotional response on a 4- minute, 20- second video posted to social media.


"If you don't understand how hurtful, how insensitive your comments are, you're part of the problem," Jenkins said.

Jenkins, a one- time Saints defensive back World Health Organization re- signed with the team as a gratis agent this offseason, explained in his Instagram post that he spoke with Brees later in the day about the issue, but decided to post the video anyway to let people know" how these words and actions affect those World Health Organization you want to help."

In the video, Jenkins points out how the civil unrest in the wake of George Floyds death while in police custody on May 25 was exactly what Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players were protesting by kneeling for the national anthem.


In his interview, Brees said he "will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America."

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Jenkins responded:"Years ago when we were trying to signal for help, signal for our allies and our white brothers and sisters – people we consider to be friends – to get involved. It was ignored."

Jenkins got emotional in talking about teammates on the field being united off the field.

"The same guys that you go into battle with every single day go home to communities that have been decimated," he said before taking a moment to compose himself.

"I'm disappointed. I'm hurt. Because while the world tells you 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 – the guys you consider to be allies and to be your friends. Even though we're teammates, I can't let this slide."

Source : https://www.usatoday.com/