Amid a summer of racial unrest following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, Brittney Griner was one of the WNBA players who spoke out about the national anthem.
Griner expressed her opinion that the WNBA should not play the national anthem and suggested that the league should take a strong stand on the issue. She even walked off the court before the anthem was played before a game that season.
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Gold medalists Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Griner stand on the podium with bronze medalist Jade Melbourne of Australia. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)
However, since then, Griner’s life has taken a tumultuous turn. She was imprisoned in Russia for nearly 10 months after being arrested on drug charges in February 2022. The U.S. and Russia eventually agreed to a prisoner swap, and the experience seemed to change Griner’s perspective on the national anthem.
Griner was seen wearing the gold medal around her neck after the U.S. women’s basketball team’s victory over France at the Paris Olympics and was visibly emotional during the anthem.
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Gold medalist Brittney Griner holds the U.S. flag. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)
“I didn’t think I would be here,” she said of the 2024 Paris Olympics. “And then to be here and winning gold for my country, representing when my country fought for me so hard to even be standing here. This gold medal is going to hold a special place among the other two I was fortunate to win.”
A’ja Wilson praised Griner as a “warrior” and reflected on her perseverance after her time with Team USA following her overseas arrest.
U.S. head coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned that Griner was appreciative to be part of Team USA.
Gold medalist Brittney Griner cries during the national anthem. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
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“She was so thankful to be here… I think we all should just keep checking on her because it’s unfathomable what she went through,” Reeve said.
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