Drew Brees Criticizes Colin Kaepernick for Sitting During National Anthem

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees did not hold back Monday when asked about Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem before his San Francisco 49ers faced the Green Bay Packers in a preseason contest Friday.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, "Brees said he felt compelled to speak out" because Kaepernick’s protest had been bothering him "all day long."

“I wholeheartedly disagree,” Brees said. “Not that he wants to speak out about a very important issue. No, he can speak out about a very important issue. But there's plenty of other ways that you can do that in a peaceful manner that doesn't involve being disrespectful to the American flag.”

Triplett noted Brees, a supporter of the United States military, called the flag “sacred.”

Triplett relayed more of Brees’ comments:

"

I think the important point to make here is that flag symbolizes, represents the freedoms that you have the chance as an American to exercise. So sitting down for that, that is a blatant disrespect of the freedoms that that gives you. Like it's an oxymoron that you're sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out.

"

Brees offered a response to the takes on his comments later on Monday:

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee shared a zoomed-in look at a picture from Jennifer Lee Chan of NFLFemale.com, who captured Kaepernick sitting on the sideline while his teammates stood during the anthem:

Kaepernick explained his choice, per Steve Wyche of NFL.com: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Brees wasn't the first person associated with football who felt the need to weigh in on Kaepernick’s decision.

Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Alex Boone, who pointed out his brother was a Marine, said Kaepernick "should have some (expletive) respect for people who served, especially people that lost their life to protect our freedom,” per Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

Dan Murphy of ESPN.com chronicled a handful of people who commented on the incident, including former 49ers and current Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh.

"I acknowledge his right to do that. I don’t respect the motivation or the action," Harbaugh said, although he later took to Twitter to clarify his statement:

Harbaugh, who coached in San Francisco for four seasons, gave Kaepernick the starting job over Alex Smith in 2012, and the two reached a Super Bowl together.

Harbaugh’s brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, said he didn’t agree with the method in which Kaepernick chose to protest despite agreeing with his right to do so, per Murphy.

Murphy also noted Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh understood Kaepernick’s perspective, while Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy saw it as a learning opportunity, and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged he won’t require his players to stand when the anthem is played.

"There is some depth and some truth into what he was doing. I think he could have picked a better platform and a better way to do it," Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman said when discussing the 49ers quarterback, per Murphy.

In the face of the criticism and response to his decision to sit during the national anthem, Kaepernick is still facing a murky future on the field. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report explained that he is no sure bet to start under center for the 49ers during the 2016 campaign:

As for Brees, he is a former Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowler who led the league with 4,870 passing yards in 2015.