Malcolm Jenkins tells Drew Brees to shut the f**k up about kneeling

Drew Brees put his ignorance on display to the world, and he’s facing the consequences.

Across the United States, protests are taking place against the police systematically brutalizing people of color and facing zero repercussions for their actions. For years, black men and women have been protesting against such actions, and NFL players have been a part of this effort.

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid, for example, were blackballed for being the faces of the movement, kneeling during the anthem before each game in recent seasons. Kaepernick still has not been signed by a team despite being a top quarterback who lifted a team to a Super Bowl appearance early in his career.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees should understand what the Black Lives Matter movement is about, yet the superstar quarterback remains ignorant behind his veil of privilege. He seems to think the current protests are disrespecting the flag, even though they’re about basic human rights.

Saints teammate Malcolm Jenkins has been vocal with his activism recently, as he’s kneeled with protestors and recently wrote an op-ed on the protests.

He also took Brees to task for his comments about the nature of the protest, as Brees’ misrepresented the Black Lives Matter movement.

Jenkins’ words were strong and came from a powerful place. The former Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles has been Brees’ teammate for several years, as he began his career in New Orleans before recently reuniting with the organization.

A leader in the locker room, Jenkins speaking out against Brees, who is also seen as a leader in the building, was important. It will lead to even more Saints players speaking out and holding Brees to account.

Although the emotional labor shouldn’t be on black people to educate Brees – he should really know better – there will undoubtedly be a conversation in the building. Hopefully, Brees figures it out quickly.

Jenkins has put Brees in his place, and, for that, he is the player more teammates will look to as a leader for the Saints this season.