Social Media in Uproar as Brittney Griner Receives the Same Award Once Given to Fallen War Hero Pat Tillman

This past week, social media descended into chaos after The Arizona Republic announced that WNBA star Brittney Griner had been named “Arizonan of the Year” for 2022. While that title might seem innocuous on its own, the real controversy exploded when people learned that the same award had once been given to Pat Tillman — a former NFL player who gave up a multimillion-dollar career to serve in the military and was later killed in action.

The comparisons were swift, fiery, and divisive. How could someone like Griner — who was arrested in Russia on drug charges and later freed in a prisoner swap — be honored on the same level as a national hero? Was this a celebration of media influence, identity politics, or a tone-deaf insult to military sacrifice?

Let’s break down what happened, why The Arizona Republic made this decision, and why it sent the internet into full meltdown mode.

Who Is Brittney Griner and Why Was She Arrested?

In February 2022, Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage — a serious offense under Russian law. She was later convicted and sentenced to 9 years in prison. Her arrest quickly became a geopolitical flashpoint. Not only was she an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star, but she was also a Black, openly gay woman — and that made her case symbolic in the eyes of many Western activists and political commentators.

Over the course of nearly 10 months in Russian custody, public pressure grew for the U.S. government to intervene. Then, in December 2022, Griner was released in a controversial 1-for-1 prisoner swap. The U.S. traded Griner for Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer nicknamed the “Merchant of Death.”

Why Did The Arizona Republic Choose Brittney Griner?

On January 1st, 2023, The Arizona Republic named Brittney Griner their “Arizonan of the Year”, a title awarded annually to the most impactful public figure from the state.

The paper explained their decision in an op-ed:

“Today, we name Brittney Griner Arizonan of the Year because no other Arizona newsmaker in 2022 captured the public’s attention as intensely as she did. Nor has any story in this state aroused the same level of fear and fascination over the past 300 days.”

The editors argued that Griner’s imprisonment, media attention, and dramatic release dominated Arizona headlines more than any other story last year. Importantly, the title was not framed as a moral endorsement, but rather a recognition of cultural and journalistic impact.

Who Else Has Received the Same Title?

This is where things get heated.

One of the previous recipients of the “Arizonan of the Year” title was Pat Tillman — the former Arizona Cardinals safety who left a lucrative NFL career to enlist in the U.S. Army following the 9/11 attacks. He became a U.S. Army Ranger and tragically died in 2004 during a mission in Afghanistan. His legacy has long been revered as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.

To many, placing Griner’s name beside Tillman’s felt not only inappropriate but insulting.

Social Media Reaction: “This Is Insanity”

Once people made the connection between Griner and Tillman’s shared honor, social media exploded.

Here are just a few of the viral reactions:

“They really gave Brittney Griner the same award as Pat Tillman? Are you kidding me?”
– @TL49ERMAGIC_23

“They gave the same award to a criminal as they gave to a fallen American hero. Are we still living in the real world?”
– @marnalsk

“Brittney Griner gets an award Pat Tillman received… after smuggling drugs into a foreign country and disrespecting the U.S. national anthem? What a bizarre timeline we live in.”
– @PayneTrain_24

“So Griner gets honored for committing a crime abroad and being swapped for a literal terrorist, and this is the person we’re putting next to a man who DIED for his country? Absolute disgrace.”
– @realLVJ_

The pattern was clear: outrage, confusion, and disbelief. The narrative quickly took hold that The Arizona Republic had placed a criminal on the same pedestal as a fallen American soldier. And for many, that was simply unforgivable.

Supporters Push Back: “This Wasn’t About Military Heroism”

Not everyone agreed with the backlash. Supporters of the decision pointed out that the title was not meant to compare moral character or sacrifice, but media impact and public attention. By that standard, Griner’s situation absolutely dominated Arizona headlines throughout 2022.

Others argued that Griner’s story highlights important issues: wrongful detainment, global diplomacy, racial and LGBTQ+ justice, and the safety of American citizens abroad. From that perspective, her case was not just a personal story — it was a political and humanitarian symbol.

Still, even some of her supporters admitted that placing her name alongside Pat Tillman’s was a “bad optics” move, especially in such a divided political climate.