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Brittney Griner Changes Her Tune on ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ Stands for National Anthem

After a stint in Russian penal colony, hearing America’s ode to freedom ‘hits different,’ WNBA star says.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury stands for the national anthem before the WNBA game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 12, 2023 at Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
DEAN KARAYANIS
DEAN KARAYANIS

With memories of her stint in a Russian penal colony fresh in the star WNBA basketball player’s mind, Brittany Griner hears freedom in America’s National Anthem. By choosing to stand for it, she is sending a message to other athletes that pre-game protests have run their course.

In 2020, Ms. Griner told the Arizona Republic that she was “not going to be out there” for the song and the league “should not play” it before female athletes demonstrate good fundamentals in the game.

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DEAN KARAYANIS
DEAN KARAYANIS

Mr. Karayanis worked for Rush Limbaugh for more than 25 years with stints in TV news, on campaigns, and ghost/speechwriting for a variety of newsmakers. He is the creator/host of the History Author Show on iHeart Radio, producer of its documentary-style video specials, and a contributor of political and social commentary for various news organizations. He is a producer for the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.

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