New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas criticized quarterback Drew Brees for a conservative stance on national anthem protests. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of talk about national anthem protests returning to the NFL in large numbers this season in the wake of the death of George Floyd, and Drew Brees made it clear on Wednesday that he still would not agree with kneeling before games. That opinion did not sit well with the quarterback’s favorite receiver.

Brees said he still disagrees with national anthem protests because he feels they disrespect the American flag and those who have served in the military.

The New Orleans Saints star faced immediate backlash over the comments, and Michael Thomas was among those who called Brees out. Thomas wrote on Twitter that he doesn’t care whether Brees approves of the protests and said the 41-year-old doesn’t know any better.

Brees and Thomas have arguably the best on-field connection in the NFL, but they obviously strongly disagree on this particular topic. Brees is not the first prominent member of the NFL community to openly condemn national anthem protests.

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