Shaquille O’Neal Sparks Firestorm by Calling for Brittney Griner’s Removal from US Sports Delegation
In a bold and highly polarizing statement, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has called for WNBA star Brittney Griner to be removed from the U.S. sports delegation. Citing her past decision to kneel during the national anthem, O’Neal declared, “We cannot let the person kneeling to represent the country stand for us.”
His comments, made during a recent interview, have ignited a national debate across social media and sports circles. Supporters praise O’Neal for taking a firm stance on patriotism, while critics accuse him of using his platform to silence protest and deepen divisions.
Griner, who was previously detained in Russia and later welcomed home to national attention, has not yet responded publicly. Meanwhile, athletes, analysts, and fans remain split — some applauding O’Neal’s sentiment, others defending Griner’s right to peaceful expression.
As the controversy unfolds, the spotlight intensifies on the intersection of sports, activism, and what it truly means to represent a nation.