The sports world was rocked when Lin Dunn, a highly respected basketball coach and executive, made a bold declaration against WNBA star Brittney Griner. Dunn has called for Griner to be expelled from the U.S. Olympic Team, citing her past stance on the national anthem as grounds for disqualification.
“If you disrespect the American anthem, you don’t deserve to represent this country,” Dunn reportedly stated, igniting a firestorm of controversy across the sports and political landscape.
Griner, a dominant force in women’s basketball and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been vocal about her views on social justice. In 2020, amid nationwide protests over racial injustice, she stated that she would not stand for the national anthem and even suggested it should not be played before WNBA games.
This stance placed her at the center of heated debates about patriotism, activism, and athletes’ roles in political discourse.
Dunn’s remarks have amplified these debates, reigniting a fierce discussion about whether athletes should be allowed to represent the United States while publicly opposing national symbols.
While some have rallied behind Dunn, arguing that playing for Team USA is a privilege that should only be granted to those who fully embrace patriotic traditions, others have blasted her comments as an attack on free speech and personal beliefs.
Brittney Griner’s decision to protest during the national anthem was part of a broader movement among athletes advocating for racial justice. Her position mirrored that of other high-profile sports figures, including Colin Kaepernick, who first kneeled during the anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality.
Griner’s critics, however, have long argued that such demonstrations show a lack of respect for the country that has provided opportunities for athletes to excel on the global stage.
The controversy surrounding Griner escalated dramatically in 2022 when she was detained in Russia for carrying cannabis oil, a substance illegal in the country. She was sentenced to nine years in prison but was later released in a high-profile prisoner swap negotiated by the Biden administration.
Some Americans saw her return as a triumph, while others viewed it as a controversial exchange, arguing that she had broken the law and should not have been prioritized over other detained Americans, including former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.
Following her return, Griner expressed renewed appreciation for the freedoms she enjoys in the United States. She announced that she would stand for the anthem going forward, stating that her time in Russian custody gave her a new perspective.
But for many, including Dunn, Griner’s prior actions still cast a shadow over her eligibility to wear the red, white, and blue on the Olympic stage.
Dunn’s call for Griner’s removal has divided the sports world. Many conservatives and patriotic Americans have voiced their agreement, praising Dunn for standing up for national pride.
Social media erupted with comments supporting the idea that representing Team USA should come with unwavering allegiance to the country and its traditions.
Former and current athletes, however, have spoken out against Dunn’s stance, defending Griner’s right to express her views.
They argue that being an Olympian is about athletic excellence, not political conformity. WNBA players, in particular, have rushed to Griner’s defense, with some pointing out that Dunn’s comments reflect an outdated mentality that fails to acknowledge the importance of activism in sports.
“This is bigger than basketball,” one player stated. “Athletes have always been at the forefront of social change. You can’t just erase someone’s contributions to the game because you don’t like their opinions.”
The debate over whether an athlete’s political stance should impact their participation on the U.S. Olympic Team is not new. Over the years, several athletes have faced scrutiny for their activism.
The most famous example remains the 1968 Olympics, when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the national anthem.
Griner’s case, however, is unique because of her arrest in Russia, the political tensions surrounding her release, and her later shift in perspective. Her critics argue that her change of heart is too little, too late, while her supporters maintain that personal growth should be acknowledged and respected.
As of now, there has been no official response from the U.S. Olympic Committee regarding Dunn’s demand. Griner remains a key figure in women’s basketball, and unless a formal decision is made, she is still on track to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
However, the controversy is far from over. Dunn’s comments have added fuel to a larger conversation about patriotism, personal freedom, and what it truly means to represent the United States on a global stage.
Whether Griner will be allowed to compete or if the pressure will force officials to reconsider her place on the team remains to be seen. One thing is certain: this debate is only getting louder.
