After Drew Brees apologized for saying earlier this week that he will "never agree" with players kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest against police brutality, he faced a new wave of backlash — from President Trump.

"I think he's truly one of the greatest quarterbacks, but he should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag.

Trump's criticism, saying he has ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community.

We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities," he said.

"We must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform." .

To @realdonaldtrump Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag.

We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.

We must stop talking about the flag and shift our attention to the real issues of systemic racial injustice, economic oppression, police brutality, and judicial & prison reform.

We as a white community need to listen and learn from the pain and suffering of our black communities.

The black community cannot do it alone

"We as a white community need to listen and learn from the pain and suffering of our black communities

"The black community cannot do it alone