In a fiery and polarizing declaration that’s ignited national controversy, Lin Dunn, General Manager of the Indiana Fever and a highly respected figure in women’s basketball, has called for WNBA star Brittney Griner to be removed from the U.S. Olympic team. Her reason? Griner’s recent protest during the national anthem—a move Dunn described as “disrespectful” and unworthy of Olympic representation.

“You disrespect the American anthem, you don’t deserve to represent this country,” Dunn said in a sharply worded public statement.

The controversy stems from Griner’s decision to sit during the national anthem at a recent sporting event—a powerful act of protest that aligns her with a long lineage of athlete-activists including Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe. But Dunn’s reaction has drawn a stark line in the sand, sparking nationwide debate over patriotism, athlete activism, and the role of free speech in professional sports.

The Protest That Sparked the Firestorm

Brittney Griner, known as much for her dominance on the court as for her activism off it, chose to remain seated during the national anthem in a move meant to highlight persistent racial injustice in America. For her, it was a silent but firm call to action—a reminder that even as she represents her country abroad, she refuses to ignore the inequalities at home.

Griner’s protest wasn’t new; she has a history of standing up—or rather, sitting down—for causes that matter to her, especially in light of her own experiences and her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community and racial equity.

But the timing—so close to the Olympics—has amplified the backlash.

Lin Dunn’s Unfiltered Response

Lin Dunn, who led the Indiana Fever to a WNBA title and remains a revered voice in women’s basketball, took Griner’s protest as a personal and national affront. In comments that quickly spread across sports media and social platforms, she insisted that representing Team USA comes with non-negotiable expectations of respect for the flag and anthem.

“There’s a difference between speaking out and spitting on the very symbols that let you speak freely,” Dunn said. “If you wear the jersey, you stand for the anthem.”

Dunn’s comments were met with both applause and outrage. Supporters argued that athletes must honor the flag when wearing it, particularly on the world’s biggest stage. Critics, however, accused Dunn of trying to silence an athlete exercising her right to free expression.

The Free Speech Dilemma

At the heart of the firestorm lies a fundamental question: Can an athlete both criticize their country and still represent it? For many, Griner’s protest is not anti-American—it is deeply American, rooted in the constitutional right to dissent. For others, it’s an unacceptable display of disrespect.

Griner’s defenders say she is using her platform to spark real conversations about justice, much like other trailblazing athletes before her. “You can love your country and still want it to be better,” one social media user wrote in support.

Still, the optics of protesting during the anthem—especially on the eve of representing Team USA—remain a sore point for a significant portion of the public.

A Country Divided, a Sport at the Crossroads

This isn’t the first time the sports world has found itself at the intersection of patriotism and protest. From the NFL to the Olympic Games, athletes have long used their platforms to highlight injustice. But with the U.S. more politically polarized than ever, each protest seems to ignite a bigger firestorm.

Griner’s protest and Dunn’s fierce opposition now place Team USA and the U.S. Olympic Committee in the middle of a growing cultural divide. Will the Olympic Committee take action against Griner—or will it reaffirm its commitment to protecting athletes’ right to protest?

The Future of Griner and Athlete Activism

As of now, Brittney Griner remains a member of the U.S. Olympic team. But the pressure is mounting. Calls for her removal have grown louder, bolstered by Dunn’s comments and a vocal online contingent echoing her sentiments. Others, however, see Dunn’s remarks as outdated and tone-deaf in a changing world where silence is often interpreted as complicity.

The WNBA has not issued an official statement in response to Dunn’s remarks. However, the league has long supported its players’ activism, including past protests by teams and individual players. That history may influence how league leadership responds if the controversy continues to escalate.

What’s at Stake

Beyond Griner’s Olympic future, this moment forces a broader reckoning in American sports. Is national representation conditional on political conformity? Or is the ability to protest precisely what athletes are defending when they stand—or sit—for what they believe in?

This issue won’t be resolved overnight. But one thing is certain: the debate over patriotism, protest, and the right to represent your country on the world stage is far from over.

As Team USA prepares to compete in Paris, all eyes will be on Brittney Griner—not just for how she plays, but for what she stands for.