VIDEO: Shannon Sharpe Calls for Drew Brees to Retire in Wake of Comments on Anthem Protest
By Andrew Gullotta
Shannon Sharpe had some strong opinions on Drew Brees' comments about anthem protests, saying that the quarterback "should just go ahead and retire" ahead of next season. Sharpe justified that by expressing the Saints' locker room will never be the same after Brees said what he said, regardless of his apology.
"What makes the black man’s fight so hard is people like Drew Brees. If you can't get a guy who grew up with blacks in the locker room from pee-wee, high school, college and the NFL to understand our plight, then who will?"
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 4, 2020
— @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/tfVYlylXny
As much as the three-time Super Bowl champion has a valid reason to criticize Brees, it seems like the NFL's all-time passing leader is going nowhere for the 2020 season. Other Saints team leaders, such as All-Pros Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan, have had positive responses to 13-time Pro Bowler's apology.
Davis called Brees' apology "leadership at its finest" and Jordan responded to that with a positive message. Another locker room presence, linebacker Craig Robertson, commented on Brees' Instagram apology that seemed to show solidarity with the quarterback.
Top two people recognizing (and seemingly approving) Drew Brees’ apology: Demario Davis and Craig Robertson, both leaders inside the Saints locker room. pic.twitter.com/uDL1gWNsAw
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) June 4, 2020
To top it off, ESPN's Dianna Russini said that New Orleans isn't worried about locker room chemistry in the wake of Brees' comments. The team feels they have too many leaders, starting with head coach Sean Payton, to let the ship sink.
Davis on Brees' apology "he didnt speak to the plight of black people. He owned his mistake and he moved the conversation back to the issue which is what he should of spoken the first time. This is a model of a leader..."
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) June 4, 2020
If the Super Bowl MVP can continue to speak positively on the matter and figure out a way to further make up for his comments, especially among his teammates who are upset, then the Saints shouldn't have to worry about their team chemistry or their quarterback hanging up his cleats.