Brittney Griner’s evolving anthem stance
Brittney Griner is drawing attention again after a recent moment involving the national anthem sparked renewed discussion around her public views. Her stance today is notably different from where she stood several years ago, but the change did not happen overnight.
From her time on the court to an experience that reshaped her perspective, Griner’s journey has included several pivotal moments. What led to the shift, and how has she explained it? Here’s a look at the events behind the change and why her latest appearance has brought the conversation back.
Her 2026 season continues with Connecticut
Griner joined the Connecticut Sun in April 2026 on a one-year contract after spending the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream and the previous 11 seasons with Phoenix. The Sun announced her signing on April 11, 2026.
She entered 2026 as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a longtime WNBA star with extensive international experience. Her deal marked her first season with Connecticut.
The earlier stance came in 2020
In July 2020, Griner said she believed the national anthem should not be played during the WNBA season. She said the position was connected to protests over racial injustice and police brutality.
Griner also emphasized that her comments were not meant as disrespect toward the United States. She noted her father’s military service and said she had pride in her country.
She chose not to take the court then
During the 2020 season, Griner and other WNBA players participated in demonstrations tied to racial justice. She said she planned to remain in the locker room while the anthem played before games.
The WNBA season was held inside a Florida bubble, while players used their platform to call attention to social issues. Griner’s position became part of that season’s public discussion.
Her return from Russia changed the conversation
Griner was detained in Russia in February 2022 after authorities said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She was sentenced to 9 years in prison and remained in Russian custody for nearly 10 months.
In December 2022, the United States secured her release through a prisoner exchange involving convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner then returned to the United States and resumed basketball.
Her words connected freedom with standing
Griner said Americans have the right to protest, speak out, question authority and challenge institutions. She explained that her experience in Russia affected how she viewed those freedoms.
Her comments did not describe her earlier protest as wrong. She specifically said she respected players who continued expressing dissent during the national anthem and understood their reasons for doing so.
The change was visible before the 2026 clip
Griner’s decision to stand for the anthem was not new in 2026. She stood during the national anthem before her first WNBA preseason game back after returning from Russia in May 2023.
Her explanation at the time linked the change to her detention and her renewed appreciation for freedom, the flag and representing the United States. The 2026 video therefore showed a stance she had already adopted.
Interesting fact: The WNBA has a long history of athlete activism. In 2016, Minnesota Lynx players wore shirts supporting racial justice and accountability, helping establish a broader movement among WNBA players.
The 2024 Olympics added another public moment
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Griner helped the United States win its eighth straight women’s basketball gold medal. During the medal ceremony, she became emotional while the national anthem played and the American flag was raised.
Griner later said winning gold for her country carried special meaning after everything she had experienced. She had previously won Olympic gold in 2016 and 2021.
Interesting fact: The national anthem became the official U.S. anthem in 1931. Its use at sporting events dates back much earlier, including a baseball field dedication in Brooklyn in 1862.
Connecticut is in the WNBA’s World Cup break
Griner has represented the United States internationally since 2011 and won Olympic gold in Rio, Tokyo and Paris. In 2024, she told the Associated Press that wearing the USA jersey again “means everything” to her.
She also said she would play only in the United States unless USA Basketball asked her to compete overseas. Her comments followed her release from Russian detention.
The anthem issue remains part of WNBA history
WNBA players have used the national anthem as a setting for protest, especially during debates over racial injustice. In 2016, the Indiana Fever team and Phoenix Mercury players Kelsey Bone and Mistie Bass knelt during the national anthem before a playoff game without being penalized.
League rules later called for players to stand, but did not specify punishment for kneeling. Reuters confirmed in 2024 that claims of ejections under a no-kneeling rule were false.
Her current team is preparing for a league break
The Connecticut Sun entered the Aug. 30 game against Dallas at 10-29 and finished the night 10-30 after a 97-71 loss. The WNBA then paused regular-season play for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany.
Connecticut’s next scheduled game is Sept. 17 against the Atlanta Dream, according to the team’s schedule. Griner was among the Sun players absent from the Dallas game.
The internet is also talking about how Caitlin Clark surges to No. 2 in ESPN’s latest WNBA player ranking.
Griner’s stance has evolved over several years
Griner’s recent anthem appearance fits a change she publicly described after returning from Russia. In 2020, she opposed playing the anthem before WNBA games, while in 2023, she said she wanted to stand.
Her reaction to the 2024 Olympics and the August 2026 video provides additional public examples of her current approach. Her comments show that her position has developed across several years.
In other news, six WNBA teams emerge as serious 2026 championship contenders.
What do you think about Brittney Griner’s changing stance on the national anthem? Like this slideshow if you found the timeline informative, and comment with your thoughts on her decision and how her perspective has evolved over the years.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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