At the time of publication, WNBA star, Brittney Griner, is being detained by the Russian government after some vape hash cartridges were found in her luggage at a security checkpoint. The Phoenix Mercury player is currently in diplomatic limbo as advocates try to get her released. This as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine with the entire world watching.
But the following tweet promoting an NY Magazine article asking what would be happening if it were a more popular athlete such as Tom Brady being held in custody, got trending on Wednesday, and has sparked a passionate debate.
“Imagine if Tom Brady were being held by Russian officials right now.” https://t.co/peFT0ZAXVk
— Lindsay Crouse (@lindsaycrouse) March 9, 2022
That set off the argument with many people bringing up Griner’s drug paraphernalia, while others claimed if her standing was as high as Brady’s she would already be home.
If Tom Brady was being held in Russia fools would be signing up to fight. He’s not though b/c white male privilege affords him a career in the United States. #BrittneyGriner is in need of support but most men think with their dicks & can’t muster up sympathy for a lesbian.
— TruthBeTold (@Big6domino) March 9, 2022
If Tom Brady was trapped in Russia, he’d be fine because he’s a straight white man 🙄 vs Brittney Griner who is a black gay woman.
— Varsha Pai (@TheVarshaPai) March 9, 2022
Yall are using Brittney Griner as some sick way of highlighting a race/gender war and getting likes and views. Sometimes helping hurts and sometimes hurting helps. She is not Tom Brady. So continue to ignore the situation like yall do the WNBA. It's in her best interest.
— Joe Clark Jr (@MrAviator1906) March 9, 2022
Funny how people who would cry that Russia "must have set up" @TomBrady have now decided to believe the Kremlin propaganda that @brittneygriner is a major international drug smuggler.
I'm sure it has *nothing* to do with the fact that Ms. Griner is Black, a woman & a lesbian. 🤔 https://t.co/M20L7QAqAq
— WylieDeeds (@DeedsWylie) March 9, 2022
Don’t compare Tom Brady 🐐 and Brittney Griner . https://t.co/eblpYrvhYY
— Mason Woodward (@NPdawgs73) March 9, 2022
This logic works two ways.
I get it, Brittney Griner is less famous than Tom Brady. But imagine if it were me being held by Russian officials right now. You think it’s making headlines? I love me more than anyone, and I’m smart enough to know the answer is no. https://t.co/hOmv1wKGLf
— James B. Terry (@terryjt1) March 9, 2022
I don’t think there’s been enough media coverage on Brittney Griner being detained in Russia. If this was Tom Brady this would be on the news nonstop.
— 🇬🇭smoothwithhue.com (@UConnCallMeJo) March 9, 2022
okay but brittney griner is not tom brady, this way of thinking is ridiculous
— douglas wombotto, cowboy (@wombotto) March 9, 2022
Imagine comparing Brittney Griner to Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/oUzUOyya9e
— Chuck in foxboro (@chuckinfoxboro) March 9, 2022
If Tom Brady got arrested in Russia for breaking their drug laws, no matter what you think of the laws, he'd be just as much of an idiot as Brittney Griner https://t.co/Tg4uO9BufG
— 1 (@xflstan) March 9, 2022
Indeed, no one seems to care that #WNBA star Brittney Griner is being held by Russian official right now. Of course if she were #NFL Tom Brady, it would be a different story. Unfortunately the WNBA in America have never seemed to be a big deal https://t.co/3jsliZEJuh
— T.F. (@Lakotasky) March 9, 2022
Tom Brady is the face of the largest sports league on Earth. Brittney Griner plays in a league that, at best, is a charitable endeavor nobody cares to watch. They are not the same.
— Cormac Cornell (@CormacJCornell) March 9, 2022
People doing mental gymnastics for their racist trope comparing Brittney Griner to Tom Brady. I want Griner home safely, but I’ve gotta pick my eyes up off the floor first. The WNBA should pay more says the person who’s never watched a WNBA game. Name 4 WNBA teams.
— Will° 🦍 (@spinning_will) March 9, 2022
Are we really comparing Tom Brady (the greatest of ALL TIME) to Brittney Griner? I understand the article, but these two are even close to comparable. Do better. https://t.co/s9dZh2NCpy
— Zach Davis (@zach_a_davis) March 9, 2022
1) The WNBA is not the NFL
2) Brittney Griner is not Tom Brady
3) There are a number of US citizens being held in Russian detention who also get no media attention. https://t.co/H5Cbxt1AwB— Ƀɇsŧøf$GlxyLuna💎 (@BestofBSM) March 9, 2022
What do you think? Would Tom Brady be treated differently? Are we doing enough to get Brittney Griner out of Russia? Are we making a difference closing the difference between male and female sports?
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