Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is issuing an apology after he criticized the deal that led to WNBA player Brittney Griner’s release from Russian custody.
In exchange, the U.S. released convicted arms deal Viktor Bout.
But several Twitter users criticized the deal as they noted that retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has been detained in Russia since 2018.
Parsons tweeted, “Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah.”
Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
He later clarified his tweet was “no shot at Brittney Griner.”
“I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be. I just have family who have served and it’s crazy to me the President wouldn’t bring him home too,” Parsons explained. “I’m the furthest thing from a trump supporter but I’m not a fan of Biden either.”
My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner. I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be. 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.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
In a follow-up tweet about a half hour later, the football player apologized for his initial tweets.
“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 other who have served. For that I apologize,” Parsons wrote.
He continued, “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,” he added.
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.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
President Joe Biden said on Thursday the U.S. has “not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years.” He added, “We’ll keep negotiating in good faith for Paul’s release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family.”
And in a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Despite our ceaseless efforts, the Russian government has not yet been willing to bring a long overdue end to his wrongful detention.”
Still, Whelan told CNN during a phone from the penal colony where he is being held that he is “greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up.”
“I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here,” he added.