“At School, I Was a Freak”: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Opened Up on Her Struggles With Being “Ordinary” at a Young Age

In her career as a WNBA star, Brittney Griner has achieved many accomplishments. She has been a seven-time All-Star and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Although she was never an easy child, achieving the position she has in the WNBA didn’t come without its challenges.

She grew up as the daughter of a police officer in Houston, Texas. During her school days and when she openly spoke about her sexuality, she faced many struggles. At a young age, the WNBA star admitted she struggled with being “ordinary”.

In her autobiography, titled “In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court”, she divulged many of her struggles. As she explains in her memoir: “I guess I started feeling different when everybody started telling me I was,” says her book.

“At home, I was a carefree, curious, mischievous little girl. At school, I was a freak.” She discussed in the book that she always knew she was attracted to females. However, it wasn’t easy for her to open up to her family and in her professional life.

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According to the book, she has also talked about getting body shamed at school. She talks about her father’s disapproval of her sexuality in the book, especially in the beginning. Her time at Baylor University has also been discussed. Her opening up about her sexuality caused a conflict with coach Kim Mulkey at the university.

Growing up, Brittney Griner faced many challenges 

Her acceptance of her sexuality during her time playing in the WNBA made her the first openly gay athlete in professional team sports. Her endorsement of Nike’s men’s streetwear also made her the first woman endorsed by the company.

“Just walking around, it’s kind of like being on display at a museum, like being on display 24/7,” Griner told Morty Ain for ESPN. She was brilliant on the basketball court with the way she handled the team’s responsibilities.

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In addition, she has never shied away from accepting the truth and being proud of it off the court. Besides working on her professional development, she also developed herself personally. Since her book was published, millions of people have been motivated.

It was difficult for her to deal with her father’s views on her sexuality in her childhood, as well as with her career as a basketball player. It wasn’t easy, but she overcame them all. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.