He asked after the wellbeing of Elizabeth and Cherelle and their respective families during this painful time.". 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. 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. 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. 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. "I appreciate each and every one of you," Cherelle continued. Brittney Griner is gonna try the marriage thing again -- the WNBA star just proposed to her longtime girlfriend with a fat ring . Airport security found hashish oil in vape cartridges in her bag and accused Brittney of trying to smuggle drugs into the country. 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. Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia on. "I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees" she wrote. Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. 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. Here's what we know about their relationship. Still, "the fear is the fact that there's so much discretion here. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. 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. 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. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap, CNN reported. 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. So, who is Brittneys wife and how did she help Brittney? On Dec. 8, 2022, the world learned that President Joe Biden had struck a deal with Russia to bring Brittney home. "That's not a safe place to be.". 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.". 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! Copyright 2023 Distractify. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photo via AP). Let's start off with the basics. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. On April 29, the U.S. State Department officially classified Brittney's case as a wrongful detention. IE 11 is not supported. "Let's continue to use our hands, voices, platforms, and resources to bring Paul [Whelan] and all Americans home. Every voice vital in the fight to get BG home.. Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, spoke out on "The View" following a Russian court denying the WNBA star's appeal on drug charges. 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.". President Biden met Friday at the White House with Cherelle Griner, the . "We all admire the courage of the Whelan and Griner families in the face of these unimaginable circumstances, and we remain committed to reuniting them with their loved ones," she continued. ", "I understand being in the field of law that every state, every country has their own rules, but this is just absurd," Cherelle said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. "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. Griner's wife Cherelle thanks Biden, saying she is "overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude". President Biden & VP Harris spoke with Brittney Griner's wife Cherelle Griner today. Brittney was detained in Russia when she was passing through security at an airport near Moscow on February 7, 2022. 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. Cherelle Griner, the wife of the WNBA star, is officially an attorney. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. '", "We spoke only three times so far out of the eight months that [Brittney's] been sentenced," Griner said. Brittney Griner Has Finally Been Freed From Russian Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug Charges, Why Was Brittney Griner in Russia? I was done, fed up, Cherelle told the Associated Press. He just mentioned that this work is not easy, and it hasnt been, she said, adding that she also remembered the family of Paul Whelan, another American who remains imprisoned in Russia. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. The Phoenix Mercury unveiled a new campaign for their 2023 WNBA season on Thursday: Valley Together. "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. "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.". Over the months, she had steadily put public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife. On August 4, 2022, a Russian court found Brittney guilty of drug possession and smuggling. Michael Gonzales / NBAE via Getty Images file, Video from Russia appears to show Brittney Griner at airport customs. Now, Cherelle Griner said she hopes her voice reaches . Come have breakfast with me - we will help Houston together! And, I my brain cant evenfathom it," Cherelle added. A Russian court later upheld the sentence and on November 4, Brittney was moved to a penal colony in Russia. The basketball star Brittney Griner is working on a memoir about her nearly 10 months behind bars in Russia, she said on Tuesday, adding that she hoped the . ", Shouty Man may have been right, Arsenal WONT win Prem & will live to regret it. Natasha Dye is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE Digital covering sports. To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some is humanity in its purest form!" The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared some major personal news of her own. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. 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 . Additionally, the outlet shares that Cherelle requested for folks to write Brittney positive messages "using the hashtag #WeAreBG or go on weareBG.org.". The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared some major personal news of her own. ', WNBA Star Brittney Griner Released from Russian Custody in Prisoner Swap, See the Joyful Moment Brittney Griner's Wife Cherelle Learned the WNBA Star Was Coming Home, Brittney Griner Is 'Safe' and 'on Her Way Home' After Russian Prison Release, Says President Biden, Brittney Griner's Family Says They're Embarking on the 'Road to Healing' After Her Release, Brittney Griner Flying Straight to San Antonio for Medical Care, Will Reunite with Wife and Family, Brittney Griner and Wife Cherelle Plan to Help Families of Other Political Prisoners, Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner's Relationship Timeline, Cherelle Griner on Wife Brittney's Emotional Homecoming After Release from Russia: 'We're Holding on Tight', Paul Whelan, Imprisoned in Russia Since 2018, Is 'Disappointed' in U.S. Efforts to Secure His Release, released in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout. 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. The couple walked out on stage at . She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. She also thanked a few organizations, the Biden-Harris Administration, and SPEHA. Bout is known as the"Merchant of Death"and the possible swap for him was floated back in May. Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar exam you may now address me as Counselor!" Congratulations Attorney Cherelle Griner," she announced. 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 . So, theyve been married for about three years. By Julianne McShane. 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. Distractify is a registered trademark. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women's national basketball team and a six-time WNBA All-Star. If you think about just a person's suffering and when they have suffered to a maxshe was at the max that day.". 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. When asked about her thoughts on whether Brittney's sentence was politically motivated, Griner told "The View" that "there's no other way for me to see it except the fact that this is political.". Brittney Griner has two childrentwins Ava and Soleiwith Glory, according to People. Cherelle Griner, the wife of the WNBA star, is officially an attorney. According to the Associated Press, The Russian Customs Service said, "The cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison." On Thursday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed that Griner was on her way to San Antonio, where she met with Cherelle and reunited with her parents after having been detained in Russia for 10 months. Griner told the co-hosts that the denied appeal was "just disheartening" and left her in "complete disbelief. On Thursday, she made a surprise appearance at Rev. ", Griner also had the opportunity to speak with Brittney a week before her the appeal hearing. However, they didnt start dating until after Brittney split from her first wife, Glory Johnson. This content is imported from twitter. "There arent enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that her situation is "only made worse" by the country's history of homophobic persecution. Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, had been in Russia to play with a Russian Premier League women's team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, which she had done since 2014 a common practice for WNBA players, who can earn four to five times their salaries in the U.S. Cherelle Griner, who has a legal degree, told King that she believes "a crime should warrant a punishment," but that "it must be balanced.". Brittney Griner Speaks Out in Support of U.S. Reporter Detained in Russia on Spying Charges, Kim Mulkey Says She Hasn't Spoken to Brittney Griner Since Her Release, But Is 'Glad She's Safe', Brittney Griner Throws Wife Cherelle a Belated Birthday Party: 'Bae Missed My 30th Last Summer, Obviously', Brittney Griner Will Release a 'Raw, Emotional' Memoir in 2024 Detailing Her 10 Months in Russia, Brittney Griner's Wife Cherelle Graduates Law School with Juris Doctor Degree, Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner's Relationship Timeline, Brittney Griner's Wife on Her 'Complete Vulnerability' as She Pleads for Help for Detained WNBA Player, A Timeline of Brittney Griner's Detainment in Russia, Brittney Griner Thanks the People Who Fought for Her Release: 'Every Prayer, It Reached Me', Brittney and Cherelle Griner Enjoy 'Sunny' Tennis Date at Indian Wells During WNBA Off Season, Brittney Griner and Wife Cherelle Get Standing Ovation During Surprise NAACP Image Awards Appearance, Brittney Griner Attends Phoenix Open in 2nd Public Appearance Since Russian Prisoner Swap, WNBA Commissioner Says Brittney Griner Is 'Doing Remarkably Well' Since Returning from Russia. "I will never forget the day I met you at Baylor in the sub area! Brittney wrote. 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. The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. "Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.". 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. "I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life, Cherelle Griner wrote. In an interview with CBS, Cherelle previously sat down withGayle King to discuss her wife's hostage situation at the time. 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'. "Be her strength for her right now, because she doesnt have it," Griner said of her wife. All families deserve to be whole! Brittney paid tribute to her wife on Instagram in June 2020, noting that she will never forget the day she met Cherelle at Baylor. graduate of the North Carolina Central University of Law. And on Sunday, Dec. 11, she posted for the first time since Brittney's homecoming. 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. 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. The couple posed with local justices and officials to commemorate Cherelle's milestone on Sunday. exchange Griner and and another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan. The annulment was not granted, and the couple remained married until their divorce was finalized in 2016, TMZ reported. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Medical marijuana is illegal in Russia. 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. "Its graduation day. "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. 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. 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. 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 that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details," she wrote. In an emotional speech, Cherelle also shared that while Brittney is trying to remain strong, "She's 100 percent not OK," per DailyMail. U.S. and Russian officials have expressed optimism in recent weeks about a potential deal for Griner. 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. 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. April 12, 2023 Updated 11:35 a.m. "Please do all you can to bring us home.". Sue Bird On Being The Oldest WNBA Player Before that, Brittney was married to. Griner, a center for the Mercury, has played in Russia in the winter for the last seven years. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke with Cherelle after Brittneys personal appeal to the president via a handwritten letter, which arrived at the White House on July 4, per the Midland Daily News. 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