You’ve probably seen the images floating around. Maybe it was a grainy social media repost or a high-fashion editorial shot that made you double-take. When people search for brittney griner no shirt, they’re usually looking for one of two things: the groundbreaking 2015 ESPN Body Issue or the more recent, deeply personal maternity photos she shared with her wife, Cherelle.
But honestly, these photos aren't just about skin. They're about a 6-foot-9 athlete who spent years being told her body didn't "fit" the mold of a female superstar. For Griner, taking her shirt off for a camera isn't about shock value. It’s a middle finger to the people who spent a decade calling her a man or questioning her womanhood.
The 2015 ESPN Body Issue: Embracing the "Flatness"
Back in 2015, the sports world was a bit different. We weren't as used to seeing gender-fluidity in the mainstream. When Brittney Griner agreed to pose for ESPN The Magazine’s annual "Body Issue," she knew exactly what the comments section would look like.
She didn't care.
In that shoot, Griner was completely vulnerable. She described herself as "athletically lanky" and spoke openly about her 7-foot-4 wingspan and size 17 feet. But the most striking part? She addressed the "no shirt" aspect head-on. People had spent years spreading rumors that she was "tucking" or that she was secretly male.
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"Let me show that I embrace the flatness," she said at the time. She wanted to prove she had nothing to hide. By posing without a shirt, she wasn't just showing off her muscles; she was reclaiming a narrative that had been used to bully her since middle school.
That Maternity Shoot With Cherelle
Fast forward to June 2024. The context shifted from "defiant athlete" to "expectant parent." Brittney and Cherelle Griner released a series of maternity photos that went viral almost instantly.
In one specific shot, Brittney appears shirtless, her back to the camera, cradling Cherelle’s baby bump. It’s a soft, intimate image. You can see the intricate tattoos across her back—ink that tells the story of her journey, including her "lesbian tattoo" (the double-linked female symbols) that she’s been proud of since her early WNBA days.
This photo felt different. It wasn't about proving her gender to a cynical public. It was about family. It was about the "new" Brittney—the one who survived a terrifying 10-month detainment in a Russian penal colony and came home to a life she almost lost.
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Why the Internet is Obsessed With These Images
Let’s be real for a second. The obsession with brittney griner no shirt photos often comes from a place of curiosity about her tattoos and her physique. She’s a physical anomaly in the best way possible.
- The Tattoos: Her ink is legendary. She has a "nature" sleeve and the aforementioned gender symbols. In many of her shirtless photos, the art is the focus.
- Gender Expression: Griner has always been "masc-presenting." When she removes the jersey, she’s challenging the traditional "sexy female athlete" trope that the WNBA pushed for years.
- Resilience: Since her return from Russia in late 2022, every public appearance feels weighted. Seeing her comfortable, healthy, and shirtless in a photo shoot is a sign of her recovery.
Breaking the WNBA "Sleek and Sexy" Rule
There was a time when the WNBA tried to force its players into a specific box. Think makeup seminars for rookies and "feminine" uniforms. Griner famously pushed back. She refused the makeup sessions. She signed a deal with Nike to model menswear.
When you see a photo of brittney griner no shirt, you're seeing the result of that rebellion. She’s not trying to look like a swimsuit model. She’s trying to look like Brittney.
"If I put on something 'girlie,' I feel very uncomfortable," she told Mother Jones years ago. That discomfort is gone in her recent shoots. Whether she’s in a tuxedo or showing off her tattoos, there's a level of confidence now that wasn't there when she was a 22-year-old rookie at Baylor being told to hide her ink.
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What You Should Actually Take Away
If you’re looking for these photos, don't just look at the aesthetics. Look at the history.
- Check the Source: Most of the "topless" talk refers to the ESPN Body Issue or the 2024 maternity shoot. Anything else is likely a clickbait edit.
- Respect the Evolution: Notice the difference between her early career (where she felt she had to "prove" her gender) and her current era (where she’s just living her life).
- Support the Advocacy: Griner uses her platform now to talk about mental health and the "Bring Our Families Home" campaign. The photos are just a doorway to her larger message of authenticity.
Brittney Griner has spent her whole life on display, sometimes against her will. These photos represent the moments where she chose to be seen on her own terms. It’s not just about a lack of a shirt; it’s about the presence of a woman who finally feels at home in her own skin.
Keep an eye on her upcoming projects with the "Unrivaled" league, where she continues to push for better pay and visibility for players who don't fit the traditional mold. Her journey from a Russian prison back to the top of the basketball world is the real story—the photos are just the evidence of her strength.