When the White House released the news of Brittney Griner's impeding release from a penal colony in Yavas (Western Russia), social media went into a celebratory frenzy. Celebrities such as former NBA Champion Dwyane Wade and the award-winning actress Kerry Washington took to Twitter to share their joy over the announcement. Indeed, Thursday was a gratifying day for Brittney Griner, her wife, Glory Johnson, their family members, the WNBA/NBA community, and their supporters from all over the world. The former WNBA Champion (and three-time Russian National League Champion) was arrested and charged with drug possession back in February. Normally, a crime of this nature would garner a three-year prison sentence in Russia, but Brittney Griner was given a nine-and-a-half-year sentence instead.
Today, Brittney Griner is a free woman. But the devil is in the details, and the bottom line is that the favorable result, in the eyes of many, stems from a governmental exchange that saw a WNBA superstar traded for a feared war criminal named Viktor Bout (aka the Merchant of Death). The Russian government coveted their former arms dealer for nearly 15 years, which is more than three times the amount of time that Paul Whelen, a former U.S. Marine, has been imprisoned in their country. Hence, many Americans were hoping for a governmental trade involving Whelen as well as Brittney Griner. So, when the latter was released, and the former was not, numerous celebrities voiced their disappointment, including NFL star Micah Parsons. The standout linebacker/defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys also took to Twitter yesterday. Unlike Chris Paul and Kerry Washington, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year sang a slightly different tune, with some choice words for the President of the United States about a former Marine that was not included in the 'Brittney for Viktor' deal.
“Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah," wrote Parsons, who then sent a follow-up message to President Joe Biden regarding the matter.
"We still not voting for you," Parsons Tweeted.
Following the series of Tweets, Parsons was met with pushback, which prompted him to contemplate his wording before offering up an explanation about his ties to the U.S. Armed forces and an apology.
“My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner. I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be,” Parsons Tweeted. “I just have family who have served and it’s crazy to me the President wouldn’t bring him home too. I’m the furthest thing from a Trump supporter but I’m not a fan of Biden either.”
The Cowboys' star continued by adding more context, “Just spoke to some people that I respect and trust. I should have been more educated on the topic and not tweeted out of emotion for my family and others who have served,” Parsons wrote. “For that I apologize. Also if what I’m told about the attempts to bring Ret Marine Paul Whelan home are true then the best outcome was accomplished. I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.”
Scroll up to view the tweets.
Source: NY Daily News
