Mark Madden: Drew Brees' apology should be used as example of change

More than anything, Drew Brees hurt himself.

Brees’ words cut deeply in these troubled times. Saying he will “never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America” as regards a football player taking a knee during the national anthem was regrettable and tone-deaf.

Brees made the same mistake many have: He applied his own interpretation to Colin Kaepernick’s protest. That was stupid, especially so now that Kaepernick’s warning has been tragically played out yet again.

Kaepernick said he was protesting police oppression of minorities. Brees didn’t listen.

Many have erroneously assigned Kaepernick’s beef to the flag and military. Or maybe did so intentionally to drown Kaepernick’s credibility in a torrent of red, white and blue.

But Brees is the loser. He damaged his reputation permanently. He will have difficulty quarterbacking New Orleans, let alone leading a locker room full of African-Americans.

If the Saints underachieve, the turmoil caused by Brees will be blamed. Heck, it will make headlines every time they lose a game. Brees will go through the remainder of his career knowing his teammates don’t see him the same.

Brees, 41, signed a contract to do analysis for NBC Sports when he’s done playing. One has to think that’s in jeopardy if this doesn’t completely blow over.

When Brees gets inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his gaffe will be brought up by every sportscaster. It will be in the lead of every story written.

Brees made himself a stink sandwich. He will take another bite every day for the rest of his life. (Unless Brees doesn’t care and his apology was fake.)

It could be worse. If Brees’ status in the NFL was borderline, he’d be toast. Just like Kaepernick.

Brees is a victim of his own idiocy, but a victim nonetheless.

All Brees did was have a different opinion. An opinion shaped by fallacious thinking, and uttered at the worst possible time. It’s an opinion I vehemently disagree with. But in today’s sociopolitical climate, all dissent is not created equal.

Many have raced to forgive Brees. ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck did so with emotion and gravitas that suggested he might wet his pants. We’ve been cutting slack for the star quarterback ever since junior high school.

Do I believe Brees’ apology? Not really.

As Fox’s Skip Bayless said, “(Brees) showed you his true colors. He’s not ignorant. He’s not unaware of all that’s gone on. Drew can’t see past his own view of God and country.” Brees won’t change that view if that “change” is born out of necessity.

But it’s best that Brees’ apology is accepted — by his teammates, and by everyone.

A major purpose of protest is to win people over to your side. To make people change. Make Brees part of the movement. Heck, make him a spokesman.

I’m reminded of a scene from the Jackie Robinson biopic “42.” Robinson got racially harangued in vicious fashion by Philadelphia manager Ben Chapman. Phillies management tells Chapman he has to make it right (only for PR, mind you).

Chapman asks if he can be photographed with Robinson. Robinson initially refuses, saying Chapman hasn’t changed; he’s doing this for show.

But Brooklyn GM Branch Rickey says it doesn’t matter if Chapman has changed — as long as it looks like he’s changed.

It doesn’t matter if Brees has changed — as long as it looks like he’s changed. That can be useful to the cause.

But, speaking of movies, don’t blame Saints players if they reenact a scene from “The Longest Yard” (either version).

When the convicts realize ex-pro quarterback Paul Crewe is throwing the game against the prison guards, the offensive line refuses to block. Crewe gets mangled.

But Crewe starts playing to win, convinces his teammates, and the “Mean Machine” emerges victorious.

I love a happy ending. Don’t bet on that for Brees, however.