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NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and James Palmer have received backlash for their recent comments about WNBA superstar Brittney Griner and her prison sentence in Russia.
Griner was sentenced to nine years for deliberately smuggling drugs into the country.
Palmer, meanwhile, made a tasteless joke about Russian prisons while speaking on-air with Rapoport.
"If Ian thinks he can survive in a Russian prison, which apparently he believes, a tackle from Nathaniel Hackett is the least of his problems."
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Rapoport clarified that he and Palmer discussed Russian prisons off the air and it wasn't meant to be disclosed.
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NFL fans were angered by the comments of both Rapoport and Palmer and took to Twitter to state their displeasure.
Many fans said the reporters should be terminated by NFL Network:
Warning: NSFW language
Other fans tweeted that NFL Network is at fault for the insensitive joke being made on the air:
Some fans also noted how the joke was stated off the air and pointed out the privilege that the two men possess:
Warning: NSFW language
What was the punishment given to Brittney Griner?
Judge Anna Sotnikova handed out a nine-year jail sentence and fined Griner one million rubles (currency of Russia), or around $16,400. Sotnikova stated that the court took into consideration Griner's partial admission of guilt and deep regret for her actions, condition of health, and charitable endeavors.
Prosecutors wanted her to be sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in jail. Before the verdict, Griner made an apology to the court and sought leniency in an emotional speech.
"I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here. I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn't end my life here. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that, that is far from this courtroom."
The WNBA superstar reiterated that she had no intention of breaking any laws in Russia:
"I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws. I had no intent. I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime."
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit CNN, The Spun, and H/T Sportskeeda.
