", "That was the complete end of it. The interview comes less than three weeks before a Russian court will hear Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence, which Russian forces handed down after allegedly finding her in a Moscow airport with cannabis-derived vape cartridges in February. "Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware there is a whole of families who aren't," she said. All rights reserved. The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared some major personal news of her own. "You could hear that she was not okay. 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. Brittney appealed to President Joe Biden, asking him to come to her aid and bring her home. 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 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WNBA star Brittney Griner is paying it forward now that she's officially back home after being detained in Russia for 10 months. Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug charges, was released in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout on Thursday, CBS News reported, citing a U.S. official. However, they didnt start dating until after Brittney split from her first wife, Glory Johnson. 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. I didnt want to break the law.). Cherelle Griner joins "The View" on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in her first TV interview since her wife Brittney Griner's appeal was denied. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote. ", Shouty Man may have been right, Arsenal WONT win Prem & will live to regret it. Johnson had announced she was pregnant via sperm donation the day before. . She was in Russia playing basketball during the WNBA off-season. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home, the team said. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Griner's wife Cherelle thanks Biden, saying she is "overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude". But as you all are aware," Cherelle Griner added. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. If you think about just a person's suffering and when they have suffered to a maxshe was at the max that day.". Come have breakfast with me - we will help Houston together! "We're going to give her the appropriate space and time for that and then follow what Brittney and her family want to do about re-engaging with the WNBA.". 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. I was done, fed up, Cherelle told the Associated Press. "Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns," the tweet said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. 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 also worked as a teacher and graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in political science and government. "To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some is humanity in its purest form! Cherelle even went into depth about her second call with Brittney since she was arrested in February 2022. 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. This was no easy feat, and truthfully I didn't even know I could do it," Cherelle wrote. Sep 1, 2017. There's nothing more to expect from a legal standpoint and all eggs are in basket, you know, for our government and for America to see how important this issue is," she continued. Cherelle will hopefully rest easily now that Brittney is coming home. "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life, Cherelle Griner wrote. I was distraught. 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. Cherelle previously expressed concern for her wife and said that Brittney was struggling as she awaited freedom. Griner is "in good health" and will be "offered a wide range of support options" as she returns home, a senior White House official said Thursday. The couple walked out on stage at . President Joe Biden released a statement soon after Brittneys verdict was handed down, saying that it was one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.". 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. Theres been so many hands involved.". For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "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. 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. "There aren't enough words for me. Im humbled by their hearts. Airport security found hashish oil in vape cartridges in her bag and accused Brittney of trying to smuggle drugs into the country. 1.1K 149K views 2 months ago #brittneygriner #wnba #abcnews ABC News White House correspondent MaryAlice Parks provides the latest on Brittney Griner's reunion with wife Cherelle and Patrick. 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. The reality of the situationis that once that hearing isheld and the order is finalized, [she's] now in the position where she could be moved to a laborcamp. Cherelle said she cried for two to three days after the call and barely got out of bed. "To be able to see first hand the hard work, determination, and passion you had during this journey of becoming an attorney! or redistributed. Brittney's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute the fact that Russian media identified the player as Brittney. The White House said in a statement: "The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney's release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world.". 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. Griner, a center for the Mercury, has played in Russia in the winter for the last seven years. Brittney landed back in the United States on Friday, Dec. 9, after 10 months of captivity, according to The New York Times. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The U.S. State Department also called it a "wrongful detention, per the Associated Press. "There aren't enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby," Brittney, 32, wrote. She graduated from the university in May 2022 with honors, she announced in an Instagram post days before her graduation ceremony. Her wife even posted her first homecoming Instagram this weekend. 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. 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. Engelbert stressed that this is "a critical time" for the athlete and her family. Fox News' Nick Kalman contributed to this report. Now, the U.S. government has agreed to an exchange Brittney for Viktor Bout, a man known as the Merchant of Death who sold weapons to terrorists, rebels, and militants around the world before being arrested for conspiring to kill Americans, the New York Times notes. Love, Cherelle Griner ". "We do understand there are still people out there who are enduring what I endured the last nine months. She was in custody for 10 months. Griner arrived in the U.S. early Friday after a. To be able to see first hand the hard work, determination, and passion you had during this journey of becoming an attorney! On Thursday, she made a surprise appearance at Rev. 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. She acknowledged that many people were hoping for more details about Brittney Griner's status. "Shes very afraid about beingleft and forgotten in Russia orjust completely used to thepoint of her detriment, becauseshes like, you know, sayingthings to me like, 'my life justdont even matter no more,'" she told King. So, the fact that her contributions were not considered for sentencing was very troubling. 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. 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. graduate of the North Carolina Central University of Law. 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. Mean, When To Say 'I Love You' For The First Time, Justin Long And Kate Bosworths Body Language, What Marriage Therapists Want You to Know. "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," Griner said. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by . 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! she wrote. Brittney paid tribute to her wife on Instagram in June 2020, noting that she will never forget the day she met Cherelle at Baylor. 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! (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photo via AP). The most important emotion I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration. Brittney Griner is a WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury and an Olympic gold medalist. "Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar examyou may now address me as Counselor," Cherelle added. "Please do all you can to bring us home.". 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. "We must do everything in our power to bring him and all Americans home. Brittney plays in Russia during the off-season. Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. 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. ", "I understand being in the field of law that every state, every country has their own rules, but this is just absurd," Cherelle said. March 6, 2022, 8:09 AM PST. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. All families deserve to be whole! He was in the middle of a 25-year sentence in federal prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization. Ultimately, she was sentenced to 9 years in prison but had anappeal hearing in October. The deal between the US and the US leaves American corporate security executive and former Marine Paul Whelan imprisoned in Russia in what American officials have called fraudulent charges. ", "I understand being in the field of law that every state, every country has their own rules, but this is just absurd," she said. She last played for her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments. Why Trust Us? Brittney Griner has been released by Russia post-sentencing to nine years in a penal colony. "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. Ever since the news of her arrest broke, her wife Cherelle Griner and fans have pushed hard for her freedom. On Dec. 8, 2022, the world learned that President Joe Biden had struck a deal with Russia to bring Brittney home. The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. Russian officials said Griner was . 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. Her sentence was upheld in October, and she was later transferred to a penal colony. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. Brittney Yevette Griner (/ r a n r /; born October 18, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). "You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. "Let's continue to use our hands, voices, platforms, and resources to bring Paul [Whelan] and all Americans home. On April 29, the U.S. State Department officially classified Brittney's case as a wrongful detention. So, theyve been married for about three years. Brittney was released in a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to CNN. 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. "It didn't come easy, I almost. "It didnt come easy, I almost chose not to do it! "Its graduation day. After nearly five months of being detained in Russia, Brittney pleaded guilty on drug charges and said in her testimony that she had no "intention" of breaking the law. "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.". 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. Congratulations Attorney Cherelle Griner," she announced. 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 . Griner filed for an annulment only 28 days after they got married, per USA Today. It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. "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. Cherelle went on to share her sadness with attendees at Glamour's 2022 Women of the Year Ceremony. The State Department has issued a do not travel advisory for U.S. citizens thinking of heading to Russia and urged all U.S. citizens to leave immediately as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates. The Phoenix Mercury center popped the question to Cherelle in 2018, and according to TMZ Sports, the two met while students together at Baylor. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap, CNN reported. 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. Cherelle is a legal professional, according to her IG bio, which also states that she is a graduate of the North Carolina Central University of Law. In the letter, she asked Biden to not forget about me and the other American Detainees.. 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