Phoenix Star Erupts in Rage as Teammate Brittney Griner Faces Public Harassment, Weeks After WNBA Return: “Following With Cameras Saying Wild Remarks”
Olivia Owen Few weeks back, WNBA icon Brittney Griner made her return to the hardwood after being detained for 10 months in Russia. Griner started strongly on her second coming and has ever since been breaking sweat for her team. Though the Phoenix Mercury fell short against the Dallas Wings in their recent meeting, Brittney Griner led Phoenix with 18 points. Shortly after the loss, another mishap came Phoenix’s way at Dallas airport.
A vlogger reportedly confronted Brittney Griner with provocative remarks at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The unfortunate incident has prompted the WNBA to release a statement. Meanwhile, one of Griner’s teammates condemned the disheartening act.
Briner Griner gets confronted at Dallas airport
According to a report on Complex.com, a conservative YouTube vlogger named Alex Stein had harassed Brittney Griner and her teammates at Dallas airport as he hurled provocative comments on the star player.
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Subsequently, the WNBA released a statement and condemned the Blaze Media vlogger’s act. WNBA termed his actions as “inappropriate” and “unfortunate”. Likewise, Brittney Griner’s franchise had also issued a statement in Griner’s support.
While the league and the franchise issued formal statements, her teammate Brianna Turner took to Twitter and called out the right-wing vlogger. Besides, she also proclaimed that the WNBA stars deserve better.
“Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront. People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better,” Brianna Turner said.
Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront. People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about. We demand better.
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) June 10, 2023
Although many called him out and supported Griner, the provocateur Alex Stein seems to be unfazed by the backlash.
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A provocateur teases with a video of his exchange with Griner
Soon after the WNBA and the Mercury condemned Alex Stein in their statements, he took to Twitter with a video of his infamous interaction with the 2014 WNBA champion. The right-wing vlogger could be seen asking, “Do you want to boycott America Brittney?” Besides, he also remarked, “She hates America,” when authorities tried to keep the provocateur away.
The WNBA revealed that Griner had been approved to fly charter for WNBA games, but they weren’t aware she was doing so on Saturday. Furthermore, the league said that they had assigned security personnel for Griner, and they will remain focused on players’ security.
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As rightly demanded by Brittney Griner’s teammate Brianna Turner, WNBA stars must surely receive better treatment. Whate are your views on the unfortunate incident? Let us know in the comments.
