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• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec.

© YONG KIM/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Eagles' safety Malcolm Jenkins raises his fist during the national anthem before a 2016 game in Chicago.

Improving the quality of life for cancer patients, and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. Drew and Brittany Brees have personally committed $5 million to the State of Louisiana for relief efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Your donation will be in addition to this commitment.

Drew Brees is done. Whether he meant to or not, Brees has made himself a MAGA hero to the anti-Kaepernick crowd as America writhes in torment over the very issues that cost Kaep his career.

He should just quit while he’s behind. He’s got a Super Bowl ring and a ton of weighty passing stats and a Hall of Fame future, but he’ll never have the New Orleans Saints locker room again. He’s been a pillar in the New Orleans community, but he’ll never lead again. He’ll never regain the respect of the warriors who enter battle with him on Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays. Malcolm Jenkins made that clear Wednesday night in a teary and angry, 4-minute, 20-second Instagram post, the final edition of several posts.

One post underscored Jenkins’ thoughts about his former and current teammate:

'You’re somebody who I had a great deal of respect for. But sometimes, you should shut the ---- up.”

“Even though we’re teammates, I can’t let this slide,” Jenkins said in the post he settled on. “Drew Brees, if you don’t understand how hurtful, how insensitive your comments are, you are part of the problem.”

Jenkins, as usual, is correct.

He spoke with anguish and heartache. The post was scathing, and it was accusatory .. and it was posted after Brees called Jenkins to try to smooth the waters Brees roiled with comments as tone-deaf as they were dumb.

As I was trying to muster up the energy and find the words to address Drew Brees’s comments I recorded this video. Before I could post it, Drew reached out to me to discuss his point of view. All in all, I’m still posting this video because it’s important for anyone who wants to consider themself an ally to know how these words and actions affect those who you want to help. Drew’s words during his interview were extremely painful to hear and I hope he rectifies them with real action.

A post shared by Malcolm Jenkins (@malcolmjenkins27) on Jun 3, 2020 at 2:42pm PDT

Old downloads. As America reeled in its ninth day of protests against police brutality, Brees became the face of white privilege when he told Yahoo Finance: “I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country. .. What you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart is it shows unity.”

Brees was answering a question related to his leadership role in the context of the turmoil brought about by the 2016 protests of Colin Kaepernick and the recent police-related death of a black man. In the 2016 season, Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem in an effort to bring attention to a criminal justice system that he believed showed little justice to black men.

Brees considers such protesters to be disrespectful and such protests to promote division. Therefore, he considers Jenkins disrespectful and divisive. This infuriated Jenkins.

“I’m telling you my communities are dealing with these things,” Jenkins said, pausing, choking back tears of rage, “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.”

Why I march: I don’t want police violence supported by my tax dollars 5/8 Malcolm JenkinsJenkins won a Super Bowl with Brees in his first of five seasons in New Orleans. He rejoined the Saints via free agency in March, after he became a Pro Bowl player and a social-justice demigod over six seasons in Philly. He was one of the first NFL players to join Kaepernick’s protests during the pregame national anthem. He used his foundation to support communities of color. He met with Congress and he met with district attorneys and he met with police chiefs. He co-founded the Players Coalition, which has partnered with the NFL to funnel more than $44 million to social-justice causes. Campaigning for equality has become his identity.

Jenkins’s post -- the final version of several takes, Jenkins said -- was unscripted, emotional, completely authentic. The sounds of his young family supplied the background for a man who felt betrayed and attacked. Jenkins seldom swears, but he cussed on Wednesday night.

“The onslaught of ---- we have to deal with .. it’s ----ing crazy right now,” Jenkins began.

Crazy, indeed. As the world remained under lockdown in the middle of the deadliest pandemic in a century, on May 25, George Floyd, who is black, was killed by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes as Floyd lay face-down in the street. Chauvin and the three officers on the scene were quickly fired, but several days passed before Chauvin was arrested and charged with murder. The three other officers finally were arrested Wednesday.

The arrests came after days of clashes between protesters and police all over the United States. They came after the protests had spread to all parts of the globe. They came after President Donald Trump emerged from his White House bunker and misused the military and government police forces to frame photo ops.

And then, amid COVID-19, looting, and vigilantes prowling streets, along comes Brees, invoking the service of his U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps grandpas as the reason why every NFL player should salute the flag his way -- and implying that Jenkins and other sideline protesters disgrace the symbol and disgrace their military forebearers with their protests.

“To think that because your grandfathers served in this country, and you have a great respect for the flag, that everybody else should have the same ideals that you do is ridiculous,' Jenkins said. 'And it shows that you don’t know history. Because when our grandfathers fought for this country and served” -- he paused, choking with sadness and anger -- “they didn’t come back to a hero’s welcome. They came back and got attacked for wearing their uniforms. ..

“And then here we are in 2020 with the whole country on fire, 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 that you do is criticize one’s peaceful protest?”

Brees’s stance was made all the more controversial in the context of what other NFL figures have done. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll praised Kaepernick on ESPN.com. The NFL issued a statement Saturday that essentially validated Kaepernick’s protests.

— NFL (@NFL) May 30, 2020

White athletes and coaches and owners from all over the world of sport pledged to listen more to their black teammates and friends and bring about the change for which Kaepernick sacrificed his career.

Brees is not among them.

Jenkins was not alone, even among Saints teammates, in responding to Brees’ comments. Brees’ top receiver, Michael Thomas, sent off a trio of mocking tweets, including one that read, “He don’t know no better.” Thomas also tweeted Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ Instagram post: “It has never been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. not now.”

A few years ago we were criticized for locking arms in solidarity before the game. It has NEVER been about an anthem or a flag. Not then. Not now. Listen with an open heart, let’s educate ourselves, and then turn word and thought into action. #wakeupamerica #itstimeforchange #loveoverfear?? #solidarity #libertyandjusticeforall #all

A post shared by Aaron Rodgers (@aaronrodgers12) on Jun 3, 2020 at 2:08pm PDT

New Eagles cornerback Darius Slay picked up the baton as well, one of a score or more of NFL players eager to take a shot at Brees. Vocal 49ers corner Richard Sherman tweeted that Brees was “beyond lost.” Retired safety Ed Reed burned Brees’ name with a scathing video diatribe.

Ed Reed thoughts on Drew Brees pic.twitter.com/zIwZTkpFvL

— Grantlong (@Grantlonggg) June 4, 2020

As the day wore on, Brees tried to limit the damage, but even then his colors showed through.

“I love and respect my teammates and I stand right there with them in regards to fighting for racial equality and justice,” Brees told ESPN.com, then dived right back into the pool of nonsensical rhetoric: “I also stand with my grandfathers who risked their lives for this country and countless other military men and women who do it on a daily basis.”

Because, of course, if you don’t worship a song, you demonize the military. Gotcha.

Brees cannot come back from this. Not with Jenkins. Not trying to lead a roster of predominantly black players, many of whom, like Jenkins, supported Kaepernick all along and marched for their lives in the past week.

Said Jenkins:

“I protested against, not against 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 bull----, it’s just lip service.”

Not every Eagles teammate agreed with Jenkins’ protests. Not every teammate joined the Players Coalition. But no teammate delivered the sort of broadside that Brees dealt Jenkins, twice, on Wednesday. This damage is irreparable.

“Unfortunately, you’re someone who doesn’t understand their privilege. You don’t understand the potential that you actually have to be an advocate for the people that you call brothers,” Jenkins said in his post.

Brees is white. He doesn’t have to understand. He doesn’t want to. Brees’ teammates will understand that; what he is, and what he stands for. Especially his newest teammate.

“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 you go to war with and that you consider to be allies and to be your friends,” Jenkins said. “Even though we’re teammates, I can’t let this slide.”

See ya, Drew. It’s been real.

———

©2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer

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The NFL wasn't always a breeze for Drew Brees.

Long before the days of Twitter hyper-analyzing sports, sharing gifs and arguing about Taysom Hill, the Chargers spent time in San Diego, where they had Brees as quarterback.

While Brees showed plenty of talent and promise as a franchise passer with the Chargers, San Diego wasn't sold, eventually drafting Eli Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. (See? This is all very weird.) Manning would subsequently be traded to the Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers, loading up the quarterback room for the Chargers.

Drew Brees Net Worth

Playing under the franchise tag for the Chargers in 2005 showed the writing on the wall for Brees in a Chargers uniform. Here's why they let him walk:

MORE: How long will Drew Brees play into his 40s?

Why did the Chargers let Drew Brees leave in free agency?

A Purdue football product, the Chargers selected Brees with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, the second QB drafted (behind Michael Vick, who went No. 1 overall). While Brees wasn't of the typical height or build coming out of college, he garnered some first-round interest, but eventually fell to the second to the Chargers.

Brees' first five years in the NFL weren't anything Brees-like just yet: In 59 games, he threw for 12,348 yards, 80 touchdowns to 53 interceptions and averaged just over 200 yards per game. Slightly different era, sure, but the talent was apparent. Still, the Chargers were seemingly ready to move on.

In the Chargers' last game of the 2005 season, Brees' future was irrevocably changed when the fifth-year QB was injured trying to recover a fumble. Broncos defensive lineman Gerard Warren landed on Brees, causing him to tear his labrum, which he needed surgery for the following offseason. In addition to the labrum tear, Brees had damage to his rotator cuff and dislocated his shoulder, as well. The recovery period was longer than the Chargers had anticipated.

While the Chargers offered Brees a five-year deal to stay, the combination of having drafted Rivers the prior season, uncertainty about Brees' health and Brees' contract requests, both sides split following the 2005 season.

MORE: Revisiting the Drew Brees national anthem controversy

Why didn't the Dolphins sign Drew Brees?

The Dolphins had two shots at Brees: in the 2001 NFL Draft, when he was on the board for the Dolphins No. 26 selection, and in free agency following Brees' decision to move on from the Chargers.

Draft misses are common, but this one hurts:

Drew Brees Net Worth

For months, the Miami Dolphins scouting department was suggesting the team select Drew Brees in the 2001 Draft. Then Dave Wannstedt was OK with passing on Brees seven picks before he was selected, because Josh Heupel was there later. Heupel’s career NFL passing yards? 0. pic.twitter.com/xlS0XN77a1

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 9, 2018

The Dolphins had another opportunity following Brees' departure from the Chargers, but team doctors advised against signing Brees because of his injured shoulder. The Dolphins would trade for Vikings starter Daunte Culpepper instead, leaving Brees with two options: re-sign with the Chargers or continue talking with the Saints.

How the Saints signed Drew Brees

While the Chargers offered an incentive-laden deal to keep Brees on the West Coast, the Boilermaker was drawn to the Bayou with a little bit more money.

Brees, securing $10 million guaranteed his first season with a $12 million option for the second year, signed a six-year, $60 million deal, starting the Brees-Sean Payton duo in New Orleans, which would win the Super Bowl in 2010. The Chargers wouldn't come off or improve their incentive-based deal, effectively taking them out of the running for the quarterback. The team reportedly offered five years and $50 million, but with only a $2 million base salary.

The rest, as they say, is history.