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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. She had been detained in Russia since February 2022, after authorities claimed to have found cannabis concentrate in her vape cartridges at an airport near Moscow. "I don't know if she has anything left in her tank to continue to wake up every day and be in a place where she has no one," Cherelle said. Now, Cherelle Griner said she hopes her voice reaches . So, the fact that her contributions were not considered for sentencing was very troubling. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Cherelle Griner joins "The View" on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in her first TV interview since her wife Brittney Griner's appeal was denied. Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York. 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. Shes safe, shes on a plane, shes on her way home, Biden said at the White House last week, accompanied by Brittney's wife, Cherelle. A top Russian official said last week that a deal was possible before years end. "I didn't just go to law school I went to one of THE 6 HBCU law schools remaining! Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, posted an image of her and her wife Saturday on Instagram, thanking supporters and asking for privacy as the family navigates returning Brittney Griner home. Cherelle said she cried for two to three days after the call and barely got out of bed. When asked about the possibility of Brittney's nine-year sentence being politically motivated, Cherelle shared that "there's no other way for [her] to see it except the fact that this is political. WNBA star Brittney Griner is paying it forward now that she's officially back home after being detained in Russia for 10 months. Let's start off with the basics. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. (She previously pleaded guilty to the charges, saying that there was no intent. "Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.". Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that her situation is "only made worse" by the country's history of homophobic persecution. "Best believe, I'll never doubt me again," she continued. ", Shouty Man may have been right, Arsenal WONT win Prem & will live to regret it. Brittney is a two-time Olympic gold medalist that plays professional basketball for Phoenix Mercury, but flew out to Russia during the WNBA's off-season to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg. They most recently urged the Biden administration to help journalist Evan Gershkovitch, who was recently detained in Russia. President Biden agrees to swap Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer. The White House says Biden assured her he's working to secure Brittneys release as soon as possible, as well as Paul Whelan. On December 8, 2022, the basketball star was released from jail in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, officials said. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. Brittney Griner Has Finally Been Freed From Russian Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug Charges, Why Was Brittney Griner in Russia? "I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details," she wrote. In February 2022, Brittney Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was arrested at the Moscow airport after authorities allegedly discovered vape cartridges with hashish oil. ET In February 2022, Brittney Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, was arrested at the Moscow airport after authorities allegedly discovered vape cartridges with hashish oil. There are people convicted of murder in Russia who [have] a sentence way less than B.G., and it just makes absolutely no sense to me. She graduated from the university in May 2022 with honors, she announced in an Instagram post days before her graduation ceremony. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Over the months, she had steadily put public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife. In August, after Griners sentencing,Russiasaid it was ready to discussthe possibility of a swap, but U.S. officials have said the Russians have yet to come up with a serious counteroffer. "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life, Cherelle Griner wrote. "Final grades dropped, I'll be graduating law school with honors (cum laude)! Love, Cherelle Griner ". Ahead of her Oct. 25 hearing, Cherelle said Brittney is "at her absoluteweakest moment in life now.". According toher 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 is expected to serve out the entirety of her sentence in a penal colony labor camp, which are known for their harsh conditions. "You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury walks hand and hand with wife Cherelle Watson after defeating the Dallas Wings at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. Cherelle Griner (left) and Brittney Griner (right) appear at the NAACP Image Awards. Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE Digital covering sports. She's paying taxes there," Griner continued. "You could hear that she was not OK," Cherelle said of Brittney, adding that her wife spent 30 seconds to two minutes on the call crying. "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. In her Instagram post on Saturday, Cherelle personally thanked more than 50 people by name including Joy Reid, Gayle King, Robin, Roberts, Rev. She was in custody for 10 months. In July, NBC News reported that the U.S. had offered toexchange Griner and and another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan,for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who has been serving a 25-year prison sentence. 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). "There are so many other families who are not whole. He asked after the wellbeing of Elizabeth and Cherelle and their respective families during this painful time.". I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote. Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. or redistributed. "There aren't enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby," Brittney, 32, wrote. The most important emotion I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration. "To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some is humanity in its purest form! Come have breakfast with me - we will help Houston together! The judge of a Moscow-area court found that Griner had criminal intent and said she was guilty of smuggling and storing illegal drugs. WNBA star Brittney Griner's wife has posted on Instagram about the Phoenix Mercury player's detention in Russia. The unveiling was accompanied by a video voiced by Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle Griner. March 6, 2022, 8:09 AM PST. ", "That was the complete end of it. By Kalhan Rosenblatt. I miss my teammates! President Biden met Friday at the White House with Cherelle Griner, the . After the news broke that Brittney Griner was released by Russia in a one-for-one prisoner swap, her wife spoke to CBS News' Gayle King about how she learned the WNBA star would finally be free . All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. She was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony, according to her lawyers. Cherelle has also spoken to the Associated Press, telling the outlet that the couple previously hadn't been able to speak to each other for four months at a time, despite Griner's apparent attempts to get in touch via the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Here's what we know about their relationship. Brittney Griner has two childrentwins Ava and Soleiwith Glory, according to People. On Aug. 4, Brittney was found guilty by a Russian court of an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into Russia, per The New York Times. Their wedding was featured in The New York Times "Vows" column, but the romance did not last. You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. "She's great for Russia.". The Phoenix Mercury center popped the. The Mercury said in astatementthat it has been in contact with her family and representative. This was no easy feat, and truthfully I didn't even know I could do it," Cherelle wrote. This content is imported from twitter. Griner seems to be in good physical health, but whether she returns to the WNBA in the spring season will . 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. "It just seems like my wife is a hostage," Cherelle Griner said in her first interview since a Russian court sentenced Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug possession. The Phoenix Mercury center popped the question to Cherelle in 2018, and according to TMZ Sports, the two met while students together at Baylor. She told King that she believes President Joe Biden, who has spoken to Cherelle by phone and in person, is "doing what he can" to secure her wife's release, but that she believes doing so would ultimately require the cooperation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the customs service said the person arrested played for the U.S. Women's team, it did not specifically say when she was arrested. Shes also won several "Player of the Year" awards and is a six-time WNBA All-Star. So, who is Brittneys wife and how did she help Brittney? We do understand that theres still people out here who are enduring what I endured the last 9 months of missing, tremendously, their loved ones. 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. 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. "It tears me to pieces to seethat this is not balanced for mywife right now," she said. Thankfully, Brittney's wife, Cherelle, has stood firm in keeping Brittney's story alive and has given countless statements about Brittney's case since her arrest. On Aug. 4, Brittney was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. WNBA star Brittney Griner celebrated her wife Cherelle's major accomplishment after the 30-year-old law student officially became a lawyer over the weekend. Cherelle Griner sat down with ABC News' Robin Roberts and spoke about her wife's detainment in Russia and the fight to bring her home.WATCH NIGHTLINE EPISODE. Brittney's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute the fact that Russian media identified the player as Brittney. "It's not her footprint. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Although Cherelle met Brittney while attending Baylor University in Texas, the couple didn't date until years later after Brittney split from her now ex-wife Glory Johnson in 2016. The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. Her sentence was upheld in October, and she was later transferred to a penal colony. 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Brittney has played on the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg for the past seven years and is known there, which has prompted some to speculate whether or not her detainment will be used as leverage given what's happening with Russia and Ukraine. Reuters reported on July 7 that Brittney pleaded guilty to the drug charge and said she unintentionally broke the law. sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "If you think about just a personsuffering, and when they havesuffered to a max, like youcould hear that, like, she was atthe max that day," she added. she announced. Cherelle previously expressed concern for her wife and said that Brittney was struggling as she awaited freedom. 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'. IE 11 is not supported. "Please do all you can to bring us home.". Before that, Brittney was married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson back in 2015. In an emotional speech, Cherelle also shared that while Brittney is trying to remain strong, "She's 100 percent not OK," per DailyMail. Additionally, the outlet shares that Cherelle requested for folks to write Brittney positive messages "using the hashtag #WeAreBG or go on weareBG.org.". Griner arrived in the U.S. early Friday after a. Brittney Griners Wife Shares First Photos Since The WNBA Stars Release From Russian Prison, WNBA All-Star Liz Cambage On Mental Health, Rosala And Rauw Alejandros Body Language, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. "Its graduation day. 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. Brittney and Cherelle met as undergraduates at Baylor University in Texas, according to Us Weekly. I believe in you," she wrote in the letter to Biden. Biden "appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most, and acknowledged that every minute they are being held is a minute too long," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during her readout of the meeting. It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. 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. There are people convicted of murder in Russia who [have] a sentence way less than B.G., and it just makes absolutely no sense to me.". But as you all are aware," Cherelle Griner added. The offense could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Cherelle also added that her degree comes from a school she's immensely proud to have attended. 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. Fox News' Nick Kalman contributed to this report. 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. "Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar examyou may now address me as Counselor," Cherelle added. ", "Our hearts are filled with great concern for Evan Gershkovitch and his family since Evan's detainment in Russia," the Griners wrote. Brittney Griner's wife Cherelle is opening up about their "journey to heal," and thanking those who helped her along the way, as she advocated for her wife's return from a Russian prison for several months. The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner is dealing with "one of the weakest moments of my life" as the Phoenix Mercury player remains detained in Russia after hashish oil was allegedly found in . 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. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File), "[Biden] just mentioned this work is not easy. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photo via AP). The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. On April 29, the U.S. State Department officially classified Brittney's case as a wrongful detention. "The President held the meetings to reiterate his continued commitment to working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely. 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. "BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul," Charelle added. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This weekend, Cherelle Griner shared her first Instagram post since the WNBA star's release. ", I couldnt imagine enduring this fight to get my wife home safely and quickly in my own strength! she wrote in early June. Brittney appealed to President Joe Biden, asking him to come to her aid and bring her home. 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 Griner welcomed home with Christmas tree, BBQ after 10 months in Russian custody. The Phoenix Mercury unveiled a new campaign for their 2023 WNBA season on Thursday: Valley Together. 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Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. A post shared by . (@cherelletgriner), In a Nov. 1, 2022, appearance on The View, Cherelle made it a point to share her beliefs about Brittney's case. U.S. and Russian officials have expressed optimism in recent weeks about a potential deal for Griner. Brittney Griner Flying Straight to San Antonio for Medical Care, Will Reunite with Wife and Family WNBA Stars Turn Focus to Brittney Griner During League's All-Star Weekend: 'It's Hard for All of . "On its face it just seems like my wife is a hostage," Cherelle Griner told "CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. And on Sunday, Dec. 11, she posted for the first time since Brittney's homecoming. The way my ancestors are smiling.". exchange Griner and and another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan. Prior to Brittney's denied appeal, her attorney Alexandr Boikov told ABC News, "Her being afraid of not being released is mostly connected to the negotiations, which we are not aware of at all. "And so to me, as much as everybody's telling me a different definition of what BG is, it feels to me as if she's a hostage.". On Instagram, Brittney elaborated: "You tapped me on my shoulder and told me I took your milkshake (still up for debate lol) and I was immediately blown away at your beauty! 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. Brittney Griner Has Been Released by Russia Wife Cherelle Says Her Sentence Was "Political" By Anna Quintana Dec. 8 2022, Updated 1:06 p.m. The couple walked out on stage at . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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.". left, and by the time she landed there was an e-mail from the WNBA that was saying if you're going to Russia we recommend you not go and if you're already there we recommend you come home, but it was too late. Legal Statement. Her wife even posted her first homecoming Instagram this weekend. Legal Statement. Standing next to President Biden during his announcement of the prisoner swap, Cherelle spoke out about the darkest moments of her life since Brittney's arrest in February, per The New York Times. Since Brittney's detainment in February, Griner has been working to bring awareness to her case through her initiative "We Are BG," which is committed to bringing all wrongfully detained Americans home. Heres what you need to know. Co-host Sunny Hostin, who's on the WNBA Board of Advocates, pointed out the pay inequity to the league compared to the NBA, saying the reason for Brittney's travels to Russia was so she could supplement her salary. This Sunday @ 10am! BGs not here to say this, but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work on getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan) whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, is speaking out on social media for the first time since the WNBA star's release from Russia. However, they didnt start dating until after Brittney split from her first wife, Glory Johnson. Bout is known as the"Merchant of Death"and the possible swap for him was floated back in May. Brittney Griner is one of the best athletes in the WNBA and she always has her sweetheart, Cherelle Griner, cheering her on from the sidelines. The post featured a collage of photos of those who helped advocate and bring her wife home, and Cherelle thanked lots of people, including the Biden-Harris administration, for their help. "For the most part they try kind of keep updated as possible on what's happening with the negotiations", For those feeling helpless thinking of the situation Brittney is in, Griner said, "words make a big difference," so she's set up a letter writing campaign through "We Are BG" to remind her that she's "important" and "impossible to forget.". You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. Griner said that it's impossible not to love Brittney once you meet her, but she still prays that wherever she ultimately ends up serving out her sentence, "her personality can do her a little bit of favor in keeping her safe." Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, speaks during a rally. Brittney paid tribute to her wife on Instagram in June 2020, noting that she will never forget the day she met Cherelle at Baylor. she wrote in the caption. Engelbert stressed that this is "a critical time" for the athlete and her family. Paul Whelan, another American imprisoned in Russia, was not a part of the swap. 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. In an Instagram statement made in conjunction with her wife, the WNBA star encouraged the Biden administration to "bring Evan and all wrongfully detained Americans home. Johnson had announced she was pregnant via sperm donation the day before. You tapped me on my shoulder and told me I took your milkshake (still up for debate lol) and I was immediately blown away at your beauty! "We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home. Published on December 11, 2022 05:50 PM Brittney Griner 's wife Cherelle is opening up about their "journey to heal," and thanking those who helped her along the way, as she advocated for her. "I'm humbled by their hearts," she wrote. 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.