January 1, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-US PRESSWIRE
By Nate Davis, USA TODAY
Drew Brees was just trying to make a point in the seemingly interminable bounty saga between the NFL and his team, the New Orleans Saints.
But after comparing the league's investigation and its purported findings to a hunt for "weapons of mass destruction" Monday while his suspended current and former teammates were appealing their punishments, he's backtracked.
Brees tweeted Tuesday afternoon:
"My WMD comment has nothing to do with politics or our brave military. Merely an analogy to show how media influences public perception ... I apologize if the WMD comment offended anyone. Especially our military. There is no one I respect more than our service men and women"
It's the latest chapter of what's surely been a frustrating offseason for Brees. He's spoken out before against the NFL's investigative process while watching his peers and head coach receive lengthy bans. And, of course, the rec0rd-setting passer is still waiting for the Saints to provide him with a new multi-year contract to his liking rather than play under the one-year franchise tag.
Credit Brees for continuing to engage his fans and offer his perspective. And credit him for apologizing for a misstep that nearly any high-profile luminary could make under such circumstances.
USA TODAY