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. In it, she included two collages featuring photos of friends and advocates who used their voices to call for Griner's freedom. Biden spoke with Cherelle in a call on July 6, telling her he would work to have her wife released. Al Sharpton, Rev. Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE Digital covering sports. AP. 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! Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that her situation is "only made worse" by the country's history of homophobic persecution. "Every American who is taken is ours to fight for and every American returned is a win for us all.". "I appreciate each and every one of you," Cherelle continued. 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. Now, Cherelle Griner said she hopes her voice reaches . Her wife Cherelle claims it was "politically" motivated. Why Trust Us? The couple walked out on stage at . 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! Im humbled that I do not have to! 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. "We do understand there are still people out there who are enduring what I endured the last nine months. 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. 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'. On Aug. 4, Griner was given a nine-year sentence after pleading guilty, arguing that she had been prescribed cannabis for her pain and inadvertently packed it. "I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, speaks during a rally. 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. Her footprint is amazing for Russia. 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. "It didn't come easy, I almost. 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. 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. "I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. The U.S. State Department also called it a "wrongful detention, per the Associated Press. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. "It didnt come easy, I almost chose not to do it! Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar exam you may now address me as Counselor!" Cherelles other posts about her wife celebrated four years together: Before Brittney was freed, Cherelle also posted several IG Stories, including various prayer vigils in honor of her wife, and other accounts' posts supporting Brittney. Brittney Griner, 32, married Cherelle Watson, who has since changed her name to Cherelle Griner in June 2019. She was in custody for 10 months. A Russian court later upheld the sentence and on November 4, Brittney was moved to a penal colony in Russia. graduate of the North Carolina Central University of Law. Jesse Jackson, Tamika Mallory, and three congress people for their work in getting Brittney back to the states. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "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, 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. This Sunday @ 10am! Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. I miss my wife! ", Last week, Brittney appeared virtually for an appeal hearing and urged the court to reassess her sentence and apologized for her "mistake.". Quote Tweet. Copyright 2023 Distractify. ", "That was the complete end of it. Additionally, the outlet shares that Cherelle requested for folks to write Brittney positive messages "using the hashtag #WeAreBG or go on weareBG.org.". Over the months, she had steadily put public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife. Cherelle Griner joins "The View" on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in her first TV interview since her wife Brittney Griner's appeal was denied. Medical marijuana is illegal in Russia. The White House says Biden assured her he's working to secure Brittneys release as soon as possible, as well as Paul Whelan. Griner seems to be in good physical health, but whether she returns to the WNBA in the spring season will . Theres been so many hands involved.". "I didn't just go to law school I went to one of THE 6 HBCU law schools remaining! Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84. Shes a hostage.". 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. ", Shouty Man may have been right, Arsenal WONT win Prem & will live to regret it. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. During the prosecution's closing arguments, they asked the court to sentence the WNBA star to 9 1/2 years in prison. 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. "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.". Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Fox News' Nick Kalman contributed to this report. 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. All Rights Reserved. Reuters reported on July 7 that Brittney pleaded guilty to the drug charge and said she unintentionally broke the law. Brittney's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute the fact that Russian media identified the player as Brittney. The stricken wife of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner says she is in "one of the weakest moments of my life" over Griner's three-week detention in Russia on drug charges.. Griner, 31, who won . She's paying taxes there," Griner continued. The way my ancestors are smiling.". "Let's continue to use our hands, voices, platforms, and resources to bring Paul [Whelan] and all Americans home. "The President held the meetings to reiterate his continued commitment to working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely. "I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details," she wrote. Brittney was detained in Russia when she was passing through security at an airport near Moscow on February 7, 2022. The unveiling was accompanied by a video voiced by Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle Griner. 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. So, who is Brittneys wife and how did she help Brittney? Johnson had announced she was pregnant via sperm donation the day before. Still, "the fear is the fact that there's so much discretion here. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. She also met with President Joe Biden on Sept. 16. 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 . It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. So, they've been married for about three years. ", 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, she announced. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. WNBA star Brittney Griner's wife has posted on Instagram about the Phoenix Mercury player's detention in Russia. 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. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote. Ever since the news of her arrest broke, her wife Cherelle Griner and fans have pushed hard for her freedom. Engelbert stressed that this is "a critical time" for the athlete and her family. .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from Russian custody on Dec. 8, President Joe Biden announced, per CNN, and the whole country has been busy celebrating her return since then. "On its face it just seems like my wife is a hostage," Cherelle Griner told "CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. ", "We are grateful for President Biden and his administration's deep commitment to rescue Americans. And on Sunday, Dec. 11, she posted for the first time since Brittney's homecoming. The WNBA star, who was found guilty on drug charges by a Russian court and. The change allows the U.S. government to negotiate for her release, instead of waiting for her trial to conclude. This content is imported from twitter. "I'm like, in no world did I ever thought, you know, our president and a foreign nation's president would be sitting down having to discuss the freedom of my wife," Cherelle told King in her first interview since Griner's sentencing in August. 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. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. CNN's Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins tweeted that President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke with Cherelle on July 6, in which Biden read a draft of the letter he is planning to send to Brittney. 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. A video voiced by Brittney Griner, speaks during a rally with President joe Biden on 16! And I voted for the first time since Brittney 's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute fact!, the wife of Brittney Griner brittney griner new wife her family every one of the 6 HBCU law remaining... 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