Brittney Griner: How Her Views on the U.S. National Anthem Changed After Losing Her Freedom

1. Her Original Stance: Refusing to Take the Court When the Anthem Played (2020)

In 2020, during the climax of protests against police violence and racial injustice in the U.S., WNBA star Brittney Griner, then playing for the Phoenix Mercury, publicly declared she would stay off the court whenever the U.S. National Anthem played before games:

“I will not go out when the national anthem is playing. If (the WNBA) still wants to play it, that’s fine—but I won’t step out during the whole season.”

She clarified her position was not rooted in disrespect for her country:

“I’m not saying I’m not proud to be American. My father was a police officer in Vietnam for thirty years. I wanted to become a police officer before I chose basketball.”

2. The Turning Point: Imprisonment and Loss of Freedom in Russia (2022)

Griner’s perspective shifted dramatically after her arrest in Russia on February 17, 2022, for carrying cannabis oil in her luggage. She was sentenced to nine years in prison, spending about ten months detained in the IK‑2 women’s penal colony. She described the experience as profoundly dehumanizing, being close to suicidal in her darkest moments.

This ordeal prompted her to stop playing basketball abroad permanently—except when representing Team USA.

3. Returning Home: Renewed Gratitude for American Freedom

After President Biden orchestrated a prisoner exchange to bring her home in late 2022, Griner’s reflections on her American identity evolved. She openly acknowledged how deeply she now appreciates the freedoms many Americans take for granted:

“Every time I hear the national anthem now, it feels different. Like when you’re at the Olympics getting ready for gold—flag waving, anthem playing—that moment is more emotional… Being here today carries real meaning.”

Griner emphasized she’ll never dismiss a single day of being in the U.S.:

“I’m grateful to be here, absolutely. I will not take any day for granted.”

4. Back on the Court: Standing for the Anthem as a Symbol of Respect

By the 2023 season, Griner had returned to standing when the National Anthem played before games. She explained:

“I was inside a cage, unable to stand how I wanted… Now if I hear the anthem and see the U.S. flag—I genuinely want to stand.”

Still, she supports others’ rights for personal protest:

“And if someone can’t stand or chooses not to, I’m 100% fine with that. That’s what being an American citizen is about.”

5. Emotional Resonance at the 2024 Olympics

When the U.S. women’s basketball team won their eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Griner was deeply moved during the anthem. Tears flowed—not just for victory, but for what returning to that moment symbolized:

“This wasn’t just another medal—it was gold number eight in a row. For me, it was deeply personal… tears came because my country fought to help me return.”

6. A Journey of Perspective: From Protester to Traditional Patriotic Expression

Key phases summarized:

Phase
Anthem Stance
Underlying Motivation

2020
Refused to play the anthem
Political protest against social injustice

2022
Imprisoned in Russia; lost freedom
Brought depth to her view on liberty

2023–present
Stands during anthem
Gratitude and renewed appreciation for U.S.

7. What Griner Shared Publicly

Griner has opened up about her mental struggles while imprisoned:

“I know what hardship feels like… You face adversity in life. That was one of the biggest challenges for me.”

Upon returning to the U.S.:

“Just walking around downtown Phoenix again… feeling the land, the people—it’s life‑changing.”

She also pledged never to play professionally abroad again unless it was with Team USA.

Additionally, Griner now supports efforts to help Americans imprisoned overseas through campaigns like Bring Our Families Home.

8. Conclusion: A Transformative Perspective on the Anthem

Brittney Griner isn’t issuing an apology—she didn’t merely reverse her opinion. Instead, she has come to deeply respect and value the American national anthem, seeing it now as a potent emblem of freedom rather than a compulsory ritual.

Her journey—from resisting it as a form of protest to embracing it with emotional gratitude—illustrates how powerful experiences can shape someone’s relationship with their country and its symbols.