Brittney Griner Slams People Claiming She Hates America, Cites Father's War Experience

Brittney Griner has come out swinging against people who think she hates America.

The WNBA star and former Russian prisoner is back in the news promoting her new book "Coming Home," and she used the opportunity to slam those who think she doesn't like the country that traded an arms dealer to get her back.

The idea the Phoenix Mercury star isn't a fan of America stems from comments back in 2020 about how the national anthem shouldn't be played prior to games.

"I honestly feel we should not play the national anthem during our season. I think we should take that much of a stand. I don't mean that in any disrespect to our country. My dad was in Vietnam and a law officer for 30 years. I wanted to be a cop before basketball. I do have pride for my country. I personally don't think it belongs in sports. When the national anthem deemed the National Anthem (in 1931), black people didn't have rights at that point. It's hard disrespecting a song that didn't even represent all Americans when it was first made," the WNBA star said at the time.

She also made clear that if it was played, she wouldn't be on the floor for it. Her stance changed upon returning to America from Russia. Now, she proudly supports the anthem. She also wants people to stop claiming she hates America.

Brittney Griner claims she doesn't hate America. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Brittney Griner hits back at the idea she doesn't like America.

Griner told ESPN the following when pushing back on the idea she hates America:

"But I will say, one of the biggest things that really pissed me off, honestly, was being called non-American, and that I hate America. When my dad literally fought for our country in Vietnam in '68, '69, took shrapnel to the head, lost a lot of his friends and went into law enforcement for 30-plus years, and I literally wanted to follow his footsteps. I had no plans on being a basketball player, I literally wanted to follow his footsteps.

And being told that I hate America, I was like, 'Wait, when did I ever say that? When did I ever say I didn't want to be here?' Like, if I hated America, I wouldn't live in America, you know? I'm here, I want to be here. And because I protested against police brutality, apparently I hate cops? And I'm like, no, I don't. I'm the one that was saying we should not defund our police departments. But you do one thing, and they just label you as something that you're not."

Brittney Griner slams people who think she hates America. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Ultimately, only Griner knows what's in her heart, but I must admit that I didn't know her dad took shrapnel to the head fighting the communists in Vietnam. At the very least, she sounds very proud of all of her father's service on behalf of the country.

People also have the right to change. Griner was sentenced to nearly a decade in a Russian prison after possessing less than a gram of cannabis oil. The trial was nothing more than a show trial used to gain more leverage against America to get Viktor Bout back. That's not to say she didn't break Russian law. She did, but Griner was used as a trading chip by the Russian government.

After coming back to America, Griner sounded much more supportive of the country that freed her. It seems like her tone definitely changed, and that should be applauded - not shamed.

Brittney Griner says she doesn't hate America. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The WNBA player had to go through a brutal time, and came out with a greater appreciation for America. Now, she wants people to know she does love the country that's her home. Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.