‘It definitely hit different’: Brittney Griner says she has a newfound appreciation for the national anthem

MSN ^ | Margaret Darby

[nickcarraway]

After nearly two years, WNBA star Brittney Griner returned to the basketball court with the Phoenix Mercury Saturday and played competitively for the first time since being detained in Russia. She brought with her a newfound appreciation for the national anthem.

The seven-time All-Star said hearing the national anthem before her game on Saturday felt “different” after spending 10 months in a Russian prison. Griner arrived home to the United States in December after the U.S. and Russia agreed to a prisoner swap involving Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer, and Griner, per Deseret News.

“Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different,” Griner said, per the New York Post. “It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up, and the anthem is playing, it just hits different.”

[Organic Panic]

Should have been left in a Russian prison.

[MinorityRepublican]

Brittney Griner Officially Changed Her Opinion On The National Anthem

Thanks to Vladimir Putin.