Brittney Griner stood on the sideline during a recent Connecticut Sun game, and cameras caught a moment fans had waited years to see. She sang along to the national anthem and stared upward at the flag. Griner was seen standing on the sideline while the anthem played.
The clip spread quickly online, bringing back memories of a very different Griner from 5 years earlier. Back then, she skipped the anthem and openly said she wanted the league to drop it. A lot has changed since, including her nearly 10-month detention in Russia and the way she later described hearing the anthem.
A viral clip revives an old debate
A short video from a Connecticut Sun game spread fast across social media this week. It showed Griner standing on the sideline while the anthem played. She sang along and looked up at the flag while several teammates stayed inside.
Griner was not in uniform for the game against the Dallas Wings, but she stayed near her team. Fans noticed that she was the only Sun player to stand outside for the anthem. The clip quickly climbed sports boards.
Many viewers pointed out how different this moment looked next to her stance 5 years earlier. Back in 2020, Griner made it clear she wanted no part of the pregame anthem tradition. That contrast is what made the new clip spread so fast.
Her early stance sparked national conversation
In 2020, Griner told The Arizona Republic that the WNBA should stop playing the anthem before games. She said the league should use that moment to take a stand on bigger issues. Her comments came during a season built around protests for racial justice.
That summer followed the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the WNBA grew vocal fast. Many players wore jerseys with social justice messages and skipped the anthem. Griner was one of the players who publicly opposed playing the anthem.
Her comments drew criticism from fans who disliked mixing sports and politics. Others praised her for using her platform to speak on issues she cared about. Either way, those words became a reference point for what followed.
Captivity in Russia changed everything for her
In February 2022, Griner was detained at a Moscow airport after officials found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her bag. She had been playing overseas during the WNBA offseason, a common move among players seeking extra income. She spent nearly 10 months in Russian custody.
Griner later described the experience as isolating and frightening, especially in the early weeks. She spent long stretches without much contact with family or the outside world. The ordeal became a major diplomatic issue between the 2 countries.
In December 2022, the United States negotiated her release in exchange for a convicted arms dealer. Griner returned home just before the holidays, greeted by relieved family and national attention. That experience, by her own account, reshaped her view of home.
Griner’s 2023 return brought a different view of the anthem
Griner returned to WNBA action in May 2023 in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Before tipoff, she stood for the anthem, a clear shift from her 2020 stance. She later said hearing it after Russia felt completely different.
Griner explained that losing the freedom to stand wherever she wanted completely changed her outlook. She said the anthem and flag carried new weight once she understood what it meant to lose that choice. Her comments echoed across national outlets.
She finished that preseason game with 10 points and three rebounds despite a loss. She admitted the score mattered less that night than simply being back on the court. Reporters and fans described the moment as emotional and long-awaited.
Olympic gold added another emotional layer
In August 2024, Griner won her 3rd Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the Paris Games. Cameras caught tears on her face as the anthem played and the flag rose. It marked her first Olympics since leaving Russian custody.
Griner told reporters she never expected to stand on that podium, given what she went through 2 years earlier. She spoke about representing a country that fought hard to bring her home. Teammates and coaches praised her resilience through the tournament.
The image of Griner in tears during the anthem became one of the most shared moments of those Olympics. It offered a striking bookend to the debate she sparked years before. For many fans, it captured how far her journey had come.
Fun fact: Griner was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
A trade to Atlanta brought a fresh start
After 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season before joining the Connecticut Sun in 2026. She has posted solid numbers on the court this year.
Griner is averaging about 13 points and 6 rebounds per game this season. Teammates point to her calm approach as a valuable asset.
The change in scenery placed her in new markets and new media spotlights. That visibility helped the recent anthem clip travel even further once it reached social media. Her move to Atlanta put her back in the national basketball conversation.
TL;DR
- Brittney Griner once opposed playing the national anthem during WNBA games back in 2020.
- Her stance shifted after nearly 10 months detained inside a Russian prison in 2022.
- She teared up during the anthem after winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.
- Griner joined the Atlanta Dream this season after a decade with the Phoenix Mercury.
- A new viral clip from a Connecticut Sun game reignited interest in her anthem journey.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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