“You Don’t Deserve to Represent This Country”: Lin Dunn Demands Brittney Griner Be Cut From U.S. Olympic Team Over Anthem Protest

In a bold and polarizing move that’s igniting fierce national debate, Lin Dunn, longtime figurehead of women’s basketball and current general manager of the Indiana Fever, is calling for the immediate removal of Brittney Griner from the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. Her reason? Griner’s recent silent protest during the playing of the American national anthem.

Speaking with conviction in a public statement that has since gone viral, Dunn declared:

“When you disrespect the American anthem, you don’t deserve to represent this country.”

Her words hit like a lightning bolt—especially in a sports world already navigating the turbulent intersection of patriotism, protest, and personal expression. Dunn’s call to action comes not just as a personal opinion, but as a demand with real consequences, targeting one of the most prominent—and most controversial—figures in women’s basketball.

A Silent Protest, A Loud Response

The incident at the center of the controversy occurred just days earlier during a pre-Olympic exhibition match. As “The Star-Spangled Banner” played over the arena loudspeakers, Brittney Griner stood silently with her hands behind her back, eyes lowered—not kneeling, not raising a fist, not turning her back—yet still, for some, that silence was enough to spark outrage.

For Lin Dunn, it was more than a gesture. It was, in her eyes, a breach of duty.

“I don’t care what issues you’re passionate about,” Dunn added in an interview with a local Indiana sports outlet. “When you wear the red, white, and blue, you stand for more than yourself.”

Who Decides What Patriotism Looks Like?

The reaction to Dunn’s comments has been explosive. Social media is ablaze with dueling hashtags—#StandWithGriner and #RespectTheFlag—reflecting a deeply divided public. While some echo Dunn’s stance, insisting that representing the U.S. on a global stage requires “unquestioned loyalty,” others view Griner’s protest as an act of courage, rooted in the fundamental rights the flag itself is meant to protect.

Griner, 34, has long been an outspoken voice for criminal justice reform, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equality. She’s no stranger to controversy—her 2022 detainment in Russia became a geopolitical flashpoint, drawing support from celebrities, activists, and even the White House.

But now, back on U.S. soil and poised to compete in Paris this summer, Griner faces backlash from within her own community.

Lin Dunn: From Coach to Culture Critic

Lin Dunn, 76, is no ordinary critic. A respected legend in the WNBA and NCAA, she’s spent decades building a reputation as a fierce competitor, a savvy leader, and a passionate believer in sports as a reflection of American values. But in this moment, Dunn isn’t talking about X’s and O’s—she’s talking about who deserves to carry the flag.

“She can play all the basketball she wants,” Dunn said. “But not in the Olympics. Not if she won’t honor the anthem.”

Her stance has drawn both praise and condemnation. Some veterans’ groups and conservative commentators have backed Dunn, applauding her for “defending American values.” Others, including former players and civil rights advocates, have criticized her for what they call “a dangerous attempt to silence dissent.”

The Larger Battle: Sports, Speech, and Symbolism

This isn’t the first time the Olympic stage has been a battleground for protest. From Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising gloved fists in 1968, to Megan Rapinoe kneeling before games, athletes have long used their platforms to confront social injustice. But each time, the same question arises: Does representing a nation mean surrendering the right to protest its flaws?

Constitutionally, Griner is within her rights. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech—including silent protest. But culturally, the line between patriotism and protest is blurry. For many Americans, especially those who have served in the military or lost loved ones in war, the national anthem is sacred. To them, anything short of hand-over-heart reverence feels like betrayal.

Yet for others, especially marginalized communities, the anthem can represent unfulfilled promises—and refusing to pretend otherwise is, they argue, the truest form of patriotism.

What Comes Next for Griner—and for Team USA?

As of now, U.S. Olympic basketball officials have not commented on Lin Dunn’s demands. Griner remains on the roster, and no disciplinary actions have been announced. But the pressure is mounting, and the spotlight is growing ever more intense.

In a brief comment to reporters after practice, Griner declined to address the anthem protest directly but said:

“I’ve always believed in using my voice—and I’m not going to stop now. I love this country. That’s why I speak up.”

Whether that’s enough to silence her critics—or embolden her supporters—remains to be seen.

A Defining Moment for Sports and Society

This controversy may seem centered on one player, one anthem, one moment. But in truth, it reflects a broader cultural reckoning. What do we expect from our athletes—not just in terms of performance, but in principles? Are Olympic athletes representatives of a perfect America, or reminders of an America still striving to improve?

Lin Dunn has drawn a line in the sand. Brittney Griner has stood her ground. And the rest of the country is left to grapple with which side they stand on—and why.

As the 2025 Summer Olympics approach, the court won’t be the only place where battles are fought. The question isn’t just whether Griner will take the floor in Paris. It’s whether the nation she represents is ready to have this conversation.