WNBA Star Who Previously Said That the National Anthem Shouldn’t Be Played Before Games Detained in Russia on Drug Charges

WNBA star Brittney Griner is in hot water as she has been detained in Russia since February and could face up to 10 years in prison after customs officers found “vapes” containing hashish oil in her luggage.

Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, said in July 2020, “I honestly feel we should not play the national anthem during our season.”

In Russia, Griner has played with UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2015 during the WNBA offseason in the winter.

Former NYC Police Department Commissioner Bernard Kerik brought that up in a tweet today regarding the news.

Kerik pointed out, “Two years ago #Woke Brittney Griner said we should stop blaring our national anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before games.”

“What’s ironic is that our government and @SenJohnHoeven will fight like hell to get her back to the US,” Kerik added.

Two years ago #Woke Brittney Griner said we should stop blaring our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games.

What’s ironic is that our government and @SenJohnHoeven will fight like hell to get her back to the US. https://t.co/qgspmNJ0bM

— Bernard B. Kerik (@BernardKerik) March 5, 2022

U.S. Sen John Hoeven (R-ND) weighed in on the situation as Kerik noted and said of the Russians, “They better be very careful.”

U.S. House Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, Texas demanded her release yesterday.

“We know that there were some issues dealing with vape cartridges and other items but let me be very clear, Brittney Griner is a United States citizen, she was a guest in Russia…and I will be demanding her release,” Lee explained.