Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is issuing an apology after he criticized the deal that led to WNBA player Brittney grinerās 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, āWait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah.ā
He later clarified his tweet was āno shot at Brittney griner.ā
āIām super happy sheās back home as she should be. I just have family who have served and itās crazy to me the President wouldnāt bring him home too,ā Parsons explained. āIām the furthest thing from a trump supporter but Iām not a fan of Biden either.ā
In a follow-up tweet about a half hour later, the football player apologized for his initial tweets.
āJust 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,ā Parsons wrote.
He continued, āAlso if what Iām told about the attempts to bring Ret Marine Paul Whelan home are true then the best outcome was accomplished.ā
āI pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when Iāve made a mistake,ā he added.
President Joe Bidensaid on Thursday the U.S. has ānot forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years.ā He added, āWeāll keep negotiating in good faith for Paulās release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family.ā
And in a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, āDespite our ceaseless efforts, the Russian government has not yet been willing to bring a long overdue end to his wrongful detention.ā
Still, Whelan told CNN during a phone from the penal colony where he is being held that he is āgreatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up.ā
āI was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I donāt understand why Iām still sitting here,ā he added.
