Malcolm Jenkins Was Surprisingly First Saints Player to Accept Drew Brees' Apology

After Drew Brees' controversial comments about the anthem protests, many of his teammates responded to show their dismay. None were more critical than safety Malcolm Jenkins, who posted a emotional video to give his passionate opinion about Brees' statements.

After the Super Bowl MVP apologized publicly and to the team privately, many of his teammates accepted it, which is the first step on the road to recovery for Brees. Additionally, according to NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who was a guest for the meeting, Jenkins was the first to accept Brees' apology even though the former Eagle had the loudest statement against what the NFL career passing leader initially said.

O’Neal said Malcolm Jenkins was the first one to accept Brees’ apology, and that he accepted it, too. https://t.co/w6xYhjKCES
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 5, 2020

Actions like these show why the New Orleans' locker room culture runs so deep. Many around the league may have not accepted Brees' plea for forgiveness, but the Saints' players knew that forgiveness is the first step, and Jenkins led this sentiment.

Multiple reports state that the Saints had an emotional team meeting that seemed to end in a positive matter. Team leaders did forgive the quarterback, but urged Brees to do more.

Reached out to Saints P/ NFLPA executive committee member Thomas Morstead, who declined to share any specifics of what team discussed in an hourlong virtual meeting Thursday. But he said it was a “vulnerable” and “necessary” conversation, “not only for our team, but just as men.”
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) June 4, 2020

Brees admitted his faults and vowed to do better. For Jenkins to go out on a limb and take Brees at his word shows just how much good faith the 41-year-old has built up in the Bayou, despite this obvious misstep.