The U.S. State Department also called it a "wrongful detention, per the Associated Press. Griner was freed from a Russian penal colony on Thursday in a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News. ", I couldnt imagine enduring this fight to get my wife home safely and quickly in my own strength! she wrote in early June. Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, told CNN on Thursday she wants US officials to do whatever they have to do to bring the basketball legend home -- and she needs to see them . ", "Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia," the Griners wrote. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The White House says Biden assured her he's working to secure Brittneys release as soon as possible, as well as Paul Whelan. USA Basketball tweeted that it was closely monitoring the situation. The 31-year-old native Houstonian was a member of Team USAs 2016 gold medal team during 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and a member of the 2014 WNBA Championship team, Phoenix Mercury, according to her WNBA bio. Brittney Griner, 32, married Cherelle Watson, who has since changed her name to Cherelle Griner in June 2019. Cherelle Griner, left, wife of Olympian and WNBA player Brittney Griner, speaks after President Biden announced her release from Russian custody at the White House on Dec. 8, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Griner was released as part of a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Im going tosit at a table, and Im going tobe clear about what I need inreturn for her release so thatwe can actually get a meeting ofthe minds between these twogovernments,'" she said. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. "Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware there is a whole of families who aren't," she said. She was in custody for 10 months. Im humbled that I do not have to! Bout is known as the"Merchant of Death"and the possible swap for him was floated back in May. The couple walked out on stage at . In July, the Biden administration said it had made a "substantial proposal" to Russia to have Brittney and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan returned to the U.S. without success. Cherelle Griner, the wife of the WNBA star, is officially an attorney. "She's great for Russia.". star Brittney Griner. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote. WNBA player, Brittney Griner, joined the Phoenix Mercury basketball team in 2013. Griner noted that Brittney is an international basketball player that's won championships, played undefeated seasons and was awarded MVP of WNBA All-Star Weekend. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. On that call, Cherelle said, she didn'tknow if Brittney "has anything left inher tank to continue to wake upevery day and be in a placewhere she has no one.". Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on Feb. 17 after Russian authorities said she had vape cartridges with cannabis oil inside her luggage. Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York. she announced. ", BRITTNEY GRINER RELEASED FROM RUSSIAN PRISON IN SWAP FOR CONVICTED ARMS DEALER, WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, stands listening to a verdict in a courtroom in Khimki just outside Moscow Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. "It didn't come easy, I almost. Brittney Griner is a WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury and an Olympic gold medalist. The Phoenix Mercury center popped the. All rights reserved. Brittneys wife, Cherelle Griner, is a former teacher and lawyer who recently graduated from the North Carolina Central University of Law, according to her LinkedIn profile. Why Trust Us? Her wife Cherelle claims it was "politically" motivated. WNBA star Brittney Griner is paying it forward now that she's officially back home after being detained in Russia for 10 months. I miss my teammates! Brittney Griner, whocame to my country for seven,eight years, and helped mycountry be recognized through sport, paid taxes in my country,helped my country. Premier League top scorers 2022/23: Who is leading race for the Golden Boot? exchange Griner and and another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan. I was hurt. We celebrate their recent successful efforts to bring home Jeff Woodke and Paul Rusesabagina," the couple continued. Heres what you need to know. Cherelle Griner said her wife, WNBA star Brittney Griner, is being held "hostage" in her first interview since a Russian court sentenced the basketball player to nine years in . Brittney and Cherelle Griner form quite the power couple at this point. By Julianne McShane. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. "The President held the meetings to reiterate his continued commitment to working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely. Brittney appealed to President Joe Biden, asking him to come to her aid and bring her home. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. Every voice vital in the fight to get BG home.. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. "I'm humbled by their hearts," she wrote. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Mens Health, Womens Health, Self, Glamour, and more. "I feel like at this pointits going to take Putin to havethat same mindset and say, 'Youknow what? "I beg that the court takes in all of the stakes that was overlooked in the first court and reassess my sentence here," Brittney said, adding that it has been "traumatic" to be away from her family. Griner seems to be in good physical health, but whether she returns to the WNBA in the spring season will . Shes also won several "Player of the Year" awards and is a six-time WNBA All-Star. Cherelle Griner suffered through more than 9 months of heartbreak and confusion, and on Thursday, she expressed her delight with the news of her wife, Brittney Griner, coming back to the U.S. "Over the last 9 months you have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life and so today Im just standing here overwhelmed with emotions but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration," Cherelle Griner said with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris by her side. On Feb. 17, she was accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia, and detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki. "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. Cherelle Griner, left, wife of Olympian and WNBA player Brittney Griner, speaks after President Biden announced her release from Russian custody at the White House on Dec. 8, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Griner was released as part of a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by . In May, the U.S. State Department reclassified Brittney as being "wrongfully detained" and transferred her case to the office of the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, according to The New York Times. "I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details," she wrote. AP. Brittney and Cherelle met as undergraduates at Baylor University in Texas, according to Us Weekly. "Final grades dropped, I'll be graduating law school with honors (cum laude)! "Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Biden read her a draft of a letter he's sending to Griner. Cherelle Griner said her wife, WNBA star Brittney Griner, is being held "hostage" in her first interview since a Russian court sentenced the basketball player to nine years in prison for drug possession in August. Brittney Griner welcomed home with Christmas tree, BBQ after 10 months in Russian custody. While an exact wedding date is not known, it looks like the couple made things official since Cherelle changed her last name to Griner on the social media app. In her first Instagram post since Brittney's return to the U.S. this week, Cherelle who married the WNBA star in 2019 wrote that her "heart was made whole thanks to the collective efforts of MANY," as she shared a collage of faces who helped Brittney get back home. She also met with President Joe Biden on Sept. 16. "You may now address me as Counselor," Cherelle Griner wrote on social media. "There aren't enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby," Brittney, 32, wrote. ", "There is no one way they have to do anything there, and that is very [sic] tetrifying to know they can wake up one day and say yes to something, and wake up one day and say no," she continued. or redistributed. The White House says Biden assured her he's working to secure Brittneys release as soon as possible, Collins wrote. Brittney had been held in a Russian prison since February, when she was arrested for allegedly carrying hashish oil in her luggage through a Russian airport, per The Athletic. Brittney landed back in the United States on Friday, Dec. 9, after 10 months of captivity, according to The New York Times. Brittney Griner and Wife Cherelle Plan to Help Families of Other Political Prisoners During Brittney's first days back in the U.S., she went through Post Isolation Support Activities (PISA). Jesse Jackson, Tamika Mallory, and three congress people for their work in getting Brittney back to the states. Griner's wife Cherelle thanks Biden, saying she is "overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude". People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Haalands dark arts exposed as Mee reveals strikers tricks to put off defenders, Xhaka hits back at Arteta mentality doubts as Arsenal ace seeks reaction, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Women's basketball player Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner, #42 of the Phoenix Mercury, talks to the media after Game One of the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 10, 2021, released from jail in a one-for-one prisoner swap, Cherelle previously expressed concern for her wife. Russian officials said Griner was detained after they found vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow. ", Griner also had the opportunity to speak with Brittney a week before her the appeal hearing. As BG and I start our journey to heal our minds, bodies, and spirits I wanted to personally say thank you to some of the hands; seen and unseen, that helped make it possible for me to see my wife again!". According to her LinkedIn page, Cherelle attended Baylor University between 2010 and 2014 and majored in political science and government while minoring in family and child studies. Brittney Griner Rocks an Eagles Jersey at Super Bowl 2023 in Third Public Appearance Since Return to U.S. Brittney Griner and Wife Cherelle Plan to Help Families of Other Political Prisoners, Brittney Griner's Wife Cherelle Says 'Today My Family Is Whole' After WNBA Star's Prison Release, Cherelle Griner on Wife Brittney's Emotional Homecoming After Release from Russia: 'We're Holding on Tight'. Ahead of her Oct. 25 hearing, Cherelle said Brittney is "at her absoluteweakest moment in life now.". If you think about just a person's suffering and when they have suffered to a maxshe was at the max that day.". "To see that the totality of the circumstances of who she is as a person was not taken into account when they rendered a decision, it makes me feel like this at this point has to be political," Cherelle said. Brittney Griner Has Finally Been Freed From Russian Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug Charges, Why Was Brittney Griner in Russia? Brittney was then imprisoned for seven months and was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony in August 2022. We celebrate their recent successful efforts to bring brittney and Paul home safely three... Was then imprisoned for seven months and was sentenced to nine years in a penal! Wife Cherelle claims it was `` politically '' motivated, who remains in Russian. Detention, per the Associated Press he 's working to secure Brittneys release as soon possible!, joined the Phoenix Mercury Basketball team in 2013 ahead of her Oct. 25 hearing Cherelle., as well as Paul Whelan on this website recent successful efforts to home... 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