Some athletes are forerunners in issues that affect society as a whole. Such athletes never shy away from taking a stand for what they feel is right. USWNT star Megan Rapinoe has always been an athlete who speaks for a cause.

Previously, the soccer player stood up for various issues, including equality and other social justice. Recently, she spoke out about basketball star Brittney Griner as part of her acceptance speech for Best Play honors at the ESPY Award 2022.

Megan Rapinoe urges athletes to speak for Brittney Griner

Rapinoe was just one among other athletes who voiced their opinion during the award ceremony regarding the detention of the WNBA star. Griner has spent almost five months in a detention facility Outside Moscow, Russia. Following this, numerous athletes have come to her support and demanded her release.

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However, Griner faces an uncertain future despite the protests and support from prominent athletes. While receiving her award, the football player said, “I think honestly what we witnessed tonight is just the importance of sports. And how much we can bring and how much we can honestly get done in the world just with our collective power. I think for me, the most striking thing is that BG is not here.”

“BG deserves to be free,” she added. Moreover, she stressed the importance of getting the conversation going. Rapinoe said, “It lets BG know, also, above everything, that we love her, and that we miss her, and that we are thinking about her all the time. We’re doing every single thing we can to get her out cause that’s honestly the most important thing.”

However, lightening the mood, she added, “Still looking great BG, you look amazing still. I don’t know how you’re doing it. But we love you so much.”

Other athletes supporting Griner

During the ceremony, Rapinoe joined other prominent athletes, including Steph Curry, Skyler Diggins-Smith, and Nneka Ogwumike, in a plea for the basketball player’s release. Diggins-Smith is Griner’s fellow teammate at Phoenix Mercury.

The soccer star specified that people must speak up to bring positive change. And athletes can create awareness by speaking about it on media and social media. One of the most prominent names in sports to come out in support of the Mercury star is LeBron James.

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Previously, Rapinoe brought the issue to light while receiving the Presidential medal of freedom. During the ceremony, the athlete wore a suit with the initials “BG” embroidered on the lapel. Now the issue is gaining traction as more athletes have joined the movement to demand the release of Griner.