Report: Shaq told Saints not to let media divide roster after Brees' remarks

Shaquille O'Neal asked New Orleans Saints players not to let the media divide the team following Drew Brees' remarks last week, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.

"They're going to try to divide you, just like they divided us with the (Los Angeles) Lakers," O'Neal, who was a guest speaker during the team's virtual meeting, said. "Me and Kobe (Bryant), we had a great thing going, but the media divided our team ... We could have won five more championships. Stay strong. Don't let the media divide you. Don't let social media divide you."

Brees said Wednesday he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag" by protesting during the anthem. The Saints quarterback has since apologized twice after his comments drew the ire of players across the NFL.

New Orleans held the virtual team meeting last Thursday. Following the call, Shaq talked about how Brees' teammates reacted after the signal-caller's apology.

"They said, 'Drew, we know your character. We know you stepped in some stuff that you can't get out of, but guess what: we want you to do more positive things and less talking.' And they all said we accept your apology," O'Neal said Thursday on TNT.

O'Neal and Bryant won three straight titles with the Lakers from 2000-02. But the all-time great duo was known for having tension between them mostly due to personal differences and arguments over their respective roles. The three-time Finals MVP was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004 while Bryant re-signed for seven years with Los Angeles.