Brittney Griner, one of the most dominant and well-known figures in women’s basketball, has long been a symbol of perseverance and athletic excellence.
But her journey has not been without controversy. After years of personal and professional growth, Griner is now setting her sights on an iconic role at the 2028 Summer Olympics: serving as the United States flag bearer.
This new goal comes after she faced public scrutiny in the wake of the 2020 kneeling scandal—a moment that, while controversial, helped spark a broader conversation about social justice, athlete activism, and the intersection of sports and politics.
The Kneeling Controversy: A Turning Point
In 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, Griner, along with other prominent athletes, made the powerful decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice and police brutality.
Griner’s actions, particularly on a national stage in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), generated a mix of support and backlash. While many applauded her for using her platform to stand up for what she believed in, others criticized the protest as unpatriotic, questioning her commitment to the United States and its military.
The kneeling, which began in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, quickly became a flashpoint in the broader culture wars, particularly in the sports world.
Griner, however, remained resolute in her stance. She viewed her protest not as an attack on her country but as a call for systemic change, particularly in the way Black Americans are treated by law enforcement.
“I kneel to fight for the rights of those who can’t speak for themselves,” Griner said at the time. “I’m not disrespecting the flag. I’m showing that I want it to stand for everyone, not just a select few.”
A Personal and Public Evolution
In the years since, Griner’s journey has been one of profound transformation. Her career has been filled with accolades—numerous WNBA championships, MVP awards, and a gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. But it was her arrest and subsequent detainment in Russia in 2022 that would become a defining moment in her life, both personally and professionally.
Griner’s wrongful imprisonment on drug charges was a harrowing chapter that tested her resilience and determination. Her return to the U.S. in December 2022 after a high-profile prisoner exchange was widely celebrated as a victory not just for Griner, but for her family, supporters, and the broader cause of international human rights.
The experience also gave Griner a new perspective on her relationship with her country. Though she had faced backlash for her past activism, the global outpouring of support during her detainment in Russia underscored her importance as a national figure, not just as an athlete but as a symbol of strength, survival, and the power of collective action.
Now, Griner is setting her sights on the 2028 Summer Olympics, where she hopes to represent the United States as the flag bearer at the opening ceremony. In a recent interview, she spoke candidly about her desire to take on this prestigious role, reflecting on how much she has grown as both an athlete and an advocate.
“The 2028 Olympics will be a new chapter in my life,” Griner said. “I want to lead with grace, humility, and strength. If the opportunity arises, I would be honored to carry the flag for my country. It would be the culmination of everything I’ve gone through—everything we’ve gone through—as a nation.”
Griner’s desire to carry the flag at the opening ceremony of the 2028 Games is a clear indication of how much her perspective has evolved. The decision to kneel in 2020 was a bold one, challenging the status quo in the name of justice.
But now, Griner seems to see the flag as a symbol of hope, unity, and progress—an emblem of the ideals that America strives to uphold, even in the face of adversity.
