New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees defended himself against attacks that he is anti-gay for participating in a promotional video for a Christian organization.
Brees appeared in the 22-second video for Focus on the Family as part of a “Take Your Bible to School Day” initiative.
The 12-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer was harshly criticized for his appearance because Focus on the Family is a Christian organization that does not endorse gay rights.
“I was not aware of any of the things they said about them lobbying for anti-gay, any type of messaging for inequality of any type of hate-type related stuff. I was not aware of that at all,” Brees said after Saints practice on Thursday.
In the video, Brees mentioned his favorite Bible verse and advocated for children to live out their faith lives.
“One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:7: ‘For we live by faith, not by sight,'” Brees said in the video shared on Facebook. “So I want to encourage you to live out your faith on Bring Your Bible to School Day and share God’s love with friends. You’re not alone.”
‘Take Your Bible to School Day,’ which is scheduled for Oct. 3, is managed by its “belief and conviction that young people are permitted to politely express and share their faith with classmates.”
Brees said he thought his comments in the video were blown out of proportion, and the media coverage of it “was not representative of what the video was about.”
The quarterback reiterated that sentiment to reporters and said in a video posted to social media that he supports everyone.
“The only thing I was promoting was Bring Your Bible to School Day,” Brees said.
Brees is known for professing his Christian faith in public and has participated in several anti-bullying videos.
“I filmed a video recently that was encouraging kids to bring their Bibles to school for National Bring Your Bible to School Day,” Brees stated in his video. “To be able to live out your faith with confidence and I even gave one of my favorite Bible verses. It was as simple as that, so I’m not sure why the negativity spread or why people tried to rope me into certain negativity. I do not support any groups that discriminate or that have their own agendas that are trying to promote inequality. OK? So, hopefully, that will set the record straight, and we can all move on, because that’s not what I stand for. Have a great day.”
Hopefully this sets the record straight with who I am and what I stand for. Love, Respect, and Accept ALL. I encourage you not to believe the negativity you read that says differently. It’s simply not true. Have a great day. pic.twitter.com/4RdTahE7EZ
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) September 5, 2019
“We appreciate Drew Brees’ ongoing support for Focus on the Family’s ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day,'” Focus on the Family President Jim Daly said to the Washington Examiner. “It’s unfortunate that mean-spirited antagonists have attempted to draw attention away from this event by mischaracterizing the beliefs and positions of our organization. Like Scripture teaches and Drew Brees referenced, as Christians, we believe we’re called to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind – and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“In a pluralistic nation, we all have a seat at the table,” Daly continued. “But for pluralism to work and our nation to thrive, we must respect one another’s differing perspectives, especially deeply held religious beliefs. Why do some want to muzzle those of us who espouse convictional values that are rooted in the Bible? Why do those who feel as though they have been bullied now bully those with whom they disagree?”
“We must treat everyone with love and respect,” he added. “In 21st century post-Christian America, the best and only way forward is to not poke ideological opponents in the eye but find ways to acknowledge and respect our differences.”
