As the WNBA’s brand new season approaches, the preseason games have commenced. Brittney Griner made her long-awaited debut and fans were overjoyed by her presence.
This was her first appearance on a professional basketball court ever since her arrest at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in Russia. Ironically, the former Olympian visited Russia to play basketball, but the Russian authorities detained her for carrying hash oil vape cartridges in her luggage.
On returning to the court, the entire Phoenix Mercury fanbase present at the arena gave her a standing ovation. Before the Mercury kicked off their preseason home game against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Footprint Arena, both teams stood to sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
“Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different. It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up, and the anthem is playing, it just hits different,” said Griner.
Privileged basketball player Brittney Griner, who once argued that the National Anthem shouldn’t be played, has finally found some respect for her great country.
On Friday evening, Griner spoke out after she stood for the National Anthem.
“Hearing the national anthem, it… pic.twitter.com/2dIrdtKsld
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 13, 2023
Mercury’s Head Coach spoke about having Brittney Griner back on the team. She said, “We looked at each other, and we just had chills. We were here last year for all of it. I’m getting emotional about it now. Just to see her back out there. It’s an absolute miracle. It was amazing.” The former WNBA Champion scored 10 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 17 minutes. She last played with the Mercury during the WNBA Finals back in 2021.
Brittney Griner protested against the National Anthem being played before WNBA games
Back in 2020, the world was shaken by the tragic death of 47-year-old, George Floyd. His death enraged the African-American community and protests flipped the entire nation over its head. Several athletes from different sports raise their voices against police brutality and injustice against African-Americans.
“I honestly feel we should not play the National Anthem during our season. I think we should take that much of a stand,” she said. She even claimed that she would leave the court if the National Anthem was played. “I’m going to protest regardless. I’m not going to be out there for the National Anthem… If the league continues to want to play it, that’s fine. It will be all season long, I’ll not be out there,” she continued, claiming it was understandable if they played it during the Olympics.
However, Griner made sure that people understood where her comments came from. “I don’t mean that in any disrespect to our country. My dad was in Vietnam and a law officer for 30 years… I wanted to be a cop before basketball. I do have pride for my country,” Griner said.
The Mercury All-Star received a lot of backlash regarding her protest against the National Anthem. However, it looks like there has been a difference in her opinions now, after quite some time.
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