Unscripted What the “Price for Freedom” means for Brittney Griner and US
Unscripted
(Commentary) By Keith Edmonds Ink Spot Contributing Writer
The ominous dark cloud that has followed the women's basketball community for the past 11 months finally lifted on the morning of December 8, 2022 as WNBA players, coaches, and supporters heard the news they had been waiting for: Brittney Griner has been set free!
The WNBA star spent over nine months in a Russian prison and one month in a penal colony after being detained at an airport near Moscow during a visit to the country where she plays professional basketball. She was subsequently charged for drug possession and smuggling of vape cartridges with hashish oil. I am sure that many of you/us have our opinions as to whether Griner should have been detained for such a length of time over what seems like a miniscule amount of drugs but now that she’s been released back to the U.S. (in a controversial prisoner swap) what have we learned from all of this?
In today’s UNSCRIPTED, I’ll take a look at, and share MY feelings regarding Brittney Griner’s capture and our efforts to secure her freedom and ask/answer the following question: Who’s at fault? Did we give up too much for her release? How will our diplomatic relationship be with Russia moving forward? Can we/they be trusted?
Brittney Griner is one of the most celebrated athletes in our sports culture today. She’s won Olympic Gold Medals, WNBA Championships, and has experienced success that many of us could never imagine; but does that make her exempt from international scrutiny and Russia’s strict rules & policies regarding drugs? At what cost does bringing her home mean to others that are detained in foreign countries?
I’ve debated this situation with friends, coaches, family, and players and one thing that I’ve learned is, not everyone is in her corner when it comes to having Griner released. People are asking, is what we gave up in allowing Russia to have Viktor Bout return home as a free man, despite him being held as an arms dealer that was known as the “Merchant of Death,” and currently serving a 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison after being convicted in 2011 of conspiracy to kill Americans, too much? That’s a lot to swallow don’t you think? Many are genuinely upset and rightfully so, here’s my take…
Let’s start by asking ourselves this question: Would the US have made such a push for Griner’s return if she WASN’T one of the most highly visible athletes in the world and was just a pedestrian citizen? My answer to that is NO! Griner had a lot going FOR her in this deal but also, she had a lot going AGAINST her as well. Being a part of the LGBTQ community brought another voice into this outcry that may have/have not been heard if it were one of us being detained. Now, I’m not saying that she should not have been released, but what I am saying is, is swapping athletes for arms dealers a process that enhances diplomatic relationships? You be the judge. And while we’re celebrating Griner’s release, let’s not forget about another U.S. citizen who still remains in Russia, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan who was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in a Russian prison on alleged espionage charges. Have we prioritized our “detained prisoner” swapping’s? Enquiring minds would like to know…
This small fact has not gone unnoticed by the professional sports community as well. Many highly touted stars such as LeBron James, Dawn Staley Dwayne Wade and others have spoken out prior to her release but others such as Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys have stated that “we got it wrong” in bringing Griner home FIRST and leaving Whelan behind because he’s not celebrated and globally known as Griner. Point well-made and taken!
President Biden, who for months, tried to strike a deal with Russia to include Whelan in the hostage “exchange” knows that he may be hard-pressed to justify the release of a notorious figure such as Bout, and the deal could risk creating additional incentives for the arrest or abduction of Americans abroad. Griner stated, "President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too. I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you and those fighting for the release of ALL Americans being detained. I encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole."
Griner made a return to the court earlier this past month and participated in a light workout for the first time since her release. Is this just a coincidence or is she preparing for a long-awaited return to the WNBA? When asked that question Griner stated "I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person.” Are you surprised? Of course, you are…NOT!