WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner drinks water as she listens to the verdict in a cage in a courtroom in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on Aug. 4, 2022. People are either going to accept me for who I am or they're not. Brittney Griner had a advantage of living in solitary confinement without human contact by having played in the WNBA. "The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the US citizen Griner until May 19," a Russian court spokesperson told the Kremlin-controlled press agency TASS. @TJQuinnESPN explains a misunderstood . There are so many things I can say are wrong with my game, and someone can sit there and say, 'Well no, this, this and this are good.' USA has finally managed to secure the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. Brittney Griner is determined to continue protesting police brutality and systemic racism during every game. Candace Parker dunked. Remember that Brittany Griner opposed the American flag and anthem by telling the WNBA that these hate symbols have no place in the WNBA. This is basketball. Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but, if you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Despite the insistence by some on the left that America is systemically racist and homophobic, the entire country had the back of the Black and lesbian basketball legend, everyone was pulling for her and her family, and for almost a year the pressure to get her out of Russia came from all corners of society. It feels so good saying it: I am a strong, black lesbian woman. We went 40-0 - the first men's or women's team in history to ever do that. "Owning The Middle". Without advising Congress first as required by law, Obama secretly released five of our Guantanamo prisoners, representing the best of Arab Islamic murderers, in return for Bergdahl. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. https://www.snopes.com/ap/2022/08/04/russian-prosecutors-seek-9-12-year-sentence-for-griner/. It was turning out to be such a great night. At the end of the day many people lack compassion & critical thinking skills and its not my responsibility to teach that. She got several awards as the best player in the WNBA . When I first started playing basketball, my coordination was horrible! That the Biden administration took action for a woman who would spit on our flag and anthem, but drag her feet for a Marine who would die for the same flag and anthem, and they see nothing wrong with that? I don't really feel the pressure when people say, 'You're changing the game, you've gotta keep doing it.' After her release, there were people who took to Twitter to express how unhappy they were with Brittneys release. What we know is this: The two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is being held on drug-smuggling charges that could put her in prison for up to 10 years. Ms Griner, a nine-year veteran of the league - is the "best of the best", said Melissa Isaacson, a sportswriter and . pic.twitter.com/NWqHVKmRZ1, Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) July 12, 2022, Before Griner was sentenced, the 6-foot, 9-inch WNBA star told the court she never meant to break any laws and made an honest mistake., I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here, she said. I've spent too much of my life being made to feel like there's something wrong with me. The U.S. government offered a deal to Russia to bring Griner home, as well as another jailed American named Paul Whelan. Most importantly, had she been offered an opportunity to make $1 million in America instead of Russia, Griner could have avoided jail time under a hostile foreign power. Now she's locked up in a Russian prison and begs America for help. The price he paid for her freedom was releasing arms dealer Viktor Bout, one of the most dangerous men in the world. I have seen reports that they had the choice to select former US Marine Paul Whelan and went with the anti-American drug using WNBA basketball player. "I'm going to protest regardless," she said. We're given this platform and this voice and this audience. Solomon: Cheering Brittney Griner's prison sentence is un-American. Brittany Griner is escorted by police before her hearing in Russia. Brittney Griner is an American citizen and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) star who has been detained in Russia since February of 2022 . Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Trading the *Merchant of Death* for Brittney Griner a anti American from a Russian prison is nothing more than a slap in the face to those who love America !! The US has urged Moscow to accept a deal to free basketball player Brittany Griner, who has been sentenced to nine years in Russian prison. The dribbler in question, one Brittney Griner, previously has demanded that the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA) stop playing our national anthem before games or, her threat, she would protest publicly. Griner garnered international attention in 2022 when she was detained in Russia on a drug offense. . Respectfully, get a life trolls. WNBA star Brittney Griner's drug possession trial resumed on Thursday. No one's telling you what to do, nothing's planned out. Griner and every American can and should protest if they see injustice, such as abuses of police power against Blacks or anyone. I do have pride for my country. Brittney Griner. Washington DC is full of clowns! But I was tall. I honestly feel we should not play the National Anthem during our season, Griner told AZ Central in 2020. The price he paid for her freedom was releasing . Many have tried to protest for her, primarily because they felt the situation wasn't getting enough media attention. At least, with the geminated infants, it was not Brittney in the Gulag Archipelago but her partner in the maternity ward who had to do the hard labor), There is something about these Democrats in the White House when it comes to making insane prisoner exchanges, releasing the worst of human vermin in our custody, goons who have murdered and brought about countless deaths through their confederates, in return for the best of America.. Griner was in court on Thursday as two members of her Russian basketball club, a teammate and the general manager, vouched for her character. Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) December 8, 2022, A user tweeted, I have seen reports that they had the choice to select former US Marine Paul Whelan and went with the anti-American drug using WNBA basketball player.. https://www.quotes.net/authors/Brittney+Griner+Quotes. That's something I think has hurt us as a society. Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) August 5, 2022. You were lost and gone forever. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. listen to that voice. Its simply what America does for Americans. His writings have appeared in, Hunter Biden Cashed In to Fuel His Drug and Sex Habits, Targeting People With Mental Illness and Dementia for Euthanasia. ET): Brittney Griner was freed from Russian imprisonment Thursday after U.S. and Russian officials successfully negotiated a prisoner swap. At this moment, we can't say exactly how things are. "At the Olympics, I understand, you're playing for your country at that point. 65. This summer, Griner penned a handwritten note to President Biden, which included the following: "On the 4th of July our family normally honors the service of those who have fought for our freedom, including my father, who was a Vietnam War veteran. Found on FOX News 3 years ago. Griner was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. 137. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Brittney Griner sentenced. Griner, who was imprisoned for months on drug charges in Russia last year, made the powerful call alongside her wife, Cherelle Griner, in an appearance that made NBA icon Dwyane . I never wanted to deny who I was, but dealing with the sadness and the anger that came from people constantly making fun of me wore me down at times. Also which woman reaches 69 in height? Footwork is the foundation to my offensive game. May 29, 2013. She takes it to another level and is basically another coach on the floor. league-maximum $227,900 annual base salary. He is the only NCAA basketball player to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly! Yes theres an article where we state the anthem should not be played, but she goes on to also say how she has pride for her country. In that . Griner was sentenced this month to nine years in a Russian prison for possession of cannabis oil. However, there are fans who arent huge fans of that. This stems from a comment she made during the 2020 WNBA season. I take ownership of mine, no place for that in sports, and I apologize to everybody that was there. For those of you who don't regularly watch women's basketball: Brittney Griner is probably the most successful female player of all time. WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted from a court room ater a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on Aug. 4, 2022. FaceBook post by Mohamed Rizvi is the NBA Head, Editor & senior soccer writer at Sportsmanor who is also pursuing his bachelors degree in Business Administration. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom., Related:WNBA Star Brittney Griner Sentenced To 9 Years In RussianPrison, EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images. 3,647. I was always told, 'If you're gay, your career is going to fail.'. In exchange for her, the U.S. sent back to Russia one of the worlds deadliest arms dealers who was serving 25 years for crimes including the targeting of American citizens. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) December 9, 2022. I'm a competitor, you know. This woke basketball star wasn't just a National Anthem kneeler, she didn't even go out on the floor when it was played. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider I'm a different person - large feet, big hands. Even under ordinary circumstances, this two-season-per-year lifestyle is far from ideal. We've seen protests on Brittney Griner's behalf in New York, Washington and other cities. Published Aug 9, 2022. Thu 14 Jul 2022 16.35 EDT Last modified on Fri 15 Jul 2022 15.00 EDT. The panel reacted to the Brittney Griner prisoner swap and the Biden administration's failure to secure Paul Whelan's release. You never want to change that. Break the hashtag, set Britney free, make a deal! Riya starts off by saying this. Seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February for possession of vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil. If I can show that I'm out and I'm fine and everything's OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way. ", "I don't mean that in any disrespect to our country. She played college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas. In July 2020, amid the George Floyd protests sweeping across the nation, WNBA star Brittney Griner vowed not to take the court during the national anthem for the entire season. Italian Mike2 (@ItalysMike54) December 8, 2022. Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. The WNBA star has been detained in Russia since February 2022 for drug possession. In an attempt to get her home, United States President Joe Biden has been trying to work out a swap deal for Brittney Griner with the Russian authorities. Fittingly, Obamas national security adviser, Susan Rice, said on ABC at the time of that prisoner swap that Bowe Bergdahl served the United States with honor and distinction. Remember? Oh, and as a bonus, throw in that Marine, too. Is Mass Immigration Killing Two-Party Democracy in the U.S.? My big arms, my bigger hands, these long legs - I love being different. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Brittney Griner, the statuesque basketball player from Houston, Texas, is in the news as her trial for drug possession begins in Russia. Just as basketball doesn't define who I am, neither does being gay. I'm an outdoor person. Brittney Griner had a advantage of living in solitary confinement without human contact by having played in the WNBA. I think its easy to be an outsider and wish the worst. I've always been really open about my sexuality and who I am. On OAN's last day on cable, Chanel Rion called Brittney Griner "an America hating lesbian pothead. - Brittney Griner. On the bright side, B Griner wont have to endure our National Anthem for 9 whole years! Brittney Griner from Apr 18, 2013, There is a mistake in the text of this quote. Griner spent 294 days in . Hmm, I know I get more feminine when I'm mad, like I'll roll my neck, like I'm rolling my eyes. Here is a picture of him shirtless. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press) From the hell of a Russian penal colony, an American basketball superstar pleads for her freedom. I'm going to be Brett Favre: 'Yeah, I'm retiring Naah, I'm coming back!'. Notably, some question whether the . Brittney Griner was born in Houston, USA. Many believe the USA should not have swapped her for Viktor Bout, especially considering the fact that they believe shes anti-American. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS, David Marcus is a columnist living in West Virginia and the author of "Charade: The COVID Lies That Crushed A Nation.". Accessed 9 Aug. 2022. Income Inequality Loves Student Loan Forgiveness, Teach Your Children Well About Communism, Without advising Congress first as required by law, Obama secretly, Why J6 Transparency Frightens the Democrats, Dear Comrade Angela: History Isnt Always Black and White. Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. He could face up to 10 years in prison. 5 Mar. Had she made even a fraction of what her NBA counterparts do while playing domestically, Griner could have stayed in the United States for the offseason without fear that she wouldn't have enough money for retirement. Pure confusion and denial.. Since 2014, she's suited up for Russian powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg alongside a rotating group of fellow WNBA superstars, including Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, and Emma Meesseman. So, it wasn't hard at all. I would love to individually respond and annihilate every negative viewpoint I receive but that would be a waste of my time, Turner posted online. At the end of the day many people lack compassion & critical thinking skills and its not my responsibility to teach that. Many NBA stars tried to call for more awareness as Russia refused to let Griner go. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photo via AP), WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner holds images standing in a cage at a courtroom for a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on Aug. 4, 2022. Bill Russell from the St. Louis Hawks to the Celtics in return for Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan. But those closest to her do NOT want to turn a terrifying story into a political cause. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/28/brittney-griner-brianna-turner-call-wnba-stop-playing-national-anthem-this-season/. I stand out in the world and I love that about myself. Dec 8, 2022. 8 min read. Joe Biden gave up a Russian terrorist in exchange for anti-American WNBA player, Brittney Griner. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.". After their release, four of the cutthroats rose to become Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. A Russian court has upheld a nine-year prison sentence against US basketball player Brittney Griner, prompting renewed calls from the United States for her release.. A Moscow-area court on Tuesday . I would have been happy with that. Watch on. Griner is one of 11 women to receive Olympic gold medals, NCAA Championships, FIBA World Cup gold medals and WNBA championships. "I honestly feel we should not play the National Anthem during our season," she said. or redistributed. Griner (right) competes for Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA . You don't turn the cheek. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on Wednesday with Cherelle Griner, the wife of the W.N.B.A. If they regard Griner as among the best of them, they thereby demonstrate that they view their constituency with the utmost contempt. A dunk, won some money for a fan, had over 600 shoes brought in, it definitely didnt turn out that way at the end. Brittney Griner. However, despite that, it seems like her comments from a couple of years ago have come back to haunt her. This is the case even though her release was sought-after by thousands of Americans. but Brittney is a gay, black woman so there was really no other option, right? Jerome Solomon , Staff writer. Conservatives Mock Brittney Griner in 'Idiotic' Attacks at Her National Anthem Stance. Russia-imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner said in 2020 that the national anthem should not be played before WNBA games and vowed to protest if it was played.. Griner was sentenced this month to nine years in a Russian prison for possession of cannabis oil. Turner, too, is against the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner at WNBA games. They both hate America. I was always taught you turn your head at somebody coming after you, you're going to get hit in the back of the head or worse. Yet she continuously held her head high., I dont have the capacity to respond to every hateful message about Brittney Griner. (The good news for her is that child support runs only 18 years or so, twice a Russian prison sentence for smuggling in illegal drugs. So sick of this false narrative that BG hated the US, she wrote via social media. Without proper time to rest and rehabilitate their bodies, athletes like Griner often find themselves dealing with nagging injuries in addition to accelerated wear and tear that can cut their professional careers short. rensselaer leadership award amount,