"Please do all you can to bring us home.". Legal Statement. He has been jailed on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government have said are baseless. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Additionally, the outlet shares that Cherelle requested for folks to write Brittney positive messages "using the hashtag #WeAreBG or go on weareBG.org.". 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." "Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar examyou may now address me as Counselor," Cherelle added. "On its face it just seems like my wife is a hostage," Cherelle Griner told "CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. 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. Name just got a little longer: Cherelle T. Griner, J.D.," she wrote. Cherelle will hopefully rest easily now that Brittney is coming home. 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. Airport security found hashish oil in vape cartridges in her bag and accused Brittney of trying to smuggle drugs into the country. If you think about just a person's suffering and when they have suffered to a maxshe was at the max that day.". 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. she wrote in the caption. 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. "There arent enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby. All rights reserved. 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. Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital. In the letter, she asked Biden to not forget about me and the other American Detainees.. I was distraught. Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York. So, the fact that her contributions were not considered for sentencing was very troubling. Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84. "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. 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"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. Love, Cherelle Griner ". During Brittney's detainment, Cherelle repeatedly posted on Instagram, urging the Biden administration to take action to bring her wife home. 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 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.". "Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware there is a whole of families who aren't," she said. And on Sunday, Dec. 11, she posted for the first time since Brittney's homecoming. Cherelle Griner, the wife of the WNBA star, is officially an attorney. 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. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "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. The couple walked out on stage at . A top Russian official said last week that a deal was possible before years end. 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. 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. Cherelle Griner (left) and Brittney Griner (right) appear at the NAACP Image Awards. 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. Brittney Griner Has Finally Been Freed From Russian Prison After Pleading Guilty to Drug Charges, Why Was Brittney Griner in Russia? "Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. 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. Griner told the co-hosts that the denied appeal was . However, they didnt start dating until after Brittney split from her first wife, Glory Johnson. The U.S. State Department also called it a "wrongful detention, per the Associated Press. So, who is Brittneys wife and how did she help Brittney? On Aug. 4, Brittney was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. Premier League top scorers 2022/23: Who is leading race for the Golden Boot? But as you all are aware," Cherelle Griner added. Still, "the fear is the fact that there's so much discretion here. Thankfully, in the Dec. 8, 2022, phone call President Biden had with Brittney, per CBS News, Cherelle was also present, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This weekend, Cherelle Griner shared her first Instagram post since the WNBA star's release. The offense could carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. 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. Cherelle went on to share that Brittney has played basketball for Russia for years and "pays taxes" in the country. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "There aren't enough words for me to express how abundantly proud I am of you baby," Brittney, 32, wrote. 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.". To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some is humanity in its purest form!" Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, is speaking out on social media for the first time since the WNBA star's release from Russia. or redistributed. 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. Brittney is expected to serve out the entirety of her sentence in a penal colony labor camp, which are known for their harsh conditions. "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.". ", "I understand being in the field of law that every state, every country has their own rules, but this is just absurd," she said. 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. Its understandable to have questions about Brittney and her personal life while all this news is swirling, and especially when her wife has been front and center of efforts to bring her home. 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. Brittney landed back in the United States on Friday, Dec. 9, after 10 months of captivity, according to The New York Times. "I'm grateful that my wife was willing to go overseas and make sure that I could go to law school and that we could have a home and things like that," Griner told Hostin. Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, said she last heard her spouse's voice on Feb. 17, the day the WNBA star was detained in Russia. 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. Her wife Cherelle claims it was "politically" motivated. Now, Cherelle Griner said she hopes her voice reaches . What has Cherelle said about Brittneys detainment? I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner wrote. She went on to tell co-host Whoopi Goldberg that she's been in contact with the U.S. State Department since Brittney was first detained, but much of what goes on behind the scenes is considered classified information. All Rights Reserved. "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. 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. '", "We spoke only three times so far out of the eight months that [Brittney's] been sentenced," Griner said. 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. "I appreciate each and every one of you," Cherelle continued. "I didn't just go to law school I went to one of THE 6 HBCU law schools remaining! September 16, 2022 8:31pm. 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. 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). WNBA star Brittney Griner's wife has posted on Instagram about the Phoenix Mercury player's detention in Russia. This Sunday @ 10am! "It didnt come easy, I almost chose not to do it! "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. "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. 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. On March 5, Kagawa Colas released a statement saying, "We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA.". 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. 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On April 29, the U.S. State Department officially classified Brittney's case as a wrongful detention. 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. "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. March 6, 2022, 8:09 AM PST. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. U.S. and Russian officials have expressed optimism in recent weeks about a potential deal for Griner. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. She met her wife, Cherelle Griner, while they both attended Baylor University as undergraduates. During the prosecution's closing arguments, they asked the court to sentence the WNBA star to 9 1/2 years in prison. The Mercury said in astatementthat it has been in contact with her family and representative. 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. 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. Before that, Brittney was married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson back in 2015. Their wedding was featured in The New York Times "Vows" column, but the romance did not last. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. She's paying taxes there," Griner continued. He asked after the wellbeing of Elizabeth and Cherelle and their respective families during this painful time.". Brittney Griner, 32, married Cherelle Watson, who has since changed her name to Cherelle Griner in June 2019. The Olympic gold medalist and the teacher met. In an emotional speech, Cherelle also shared that while Brittney is trying to remain strong, "She's 100 percent not OK," per DailyMail. "We do understand there are still people out there who are enduring what I endured the last nine months. She tells "The View" Brittney's "crime and the punishment is disproportionate.". You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. .css-26w0xw{display:block;font-family:NationalBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-26w0xw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-26w0xw{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-26w0xw{font-size:1.575rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}Rosala And Rauw Alejandros Body Language, We Just Got Major Intel About Reese And Tom , Taylor Swift And Joe Alwyn's Relationship Timeline, What Those Dreams About Your Ex Really Mean, The 16 Best Couples Retreats To Take In 2023. Who Is Simone Biles' Fianc, Jonathan Owens? I didnt want to break the law.). President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on Wednesday with Cherelle Griner, the wife of the W.N.B.A. On Dec. 8, American officials publicly thanked the United Arab Emirates for providing a location for the prisoner swap of Brittney Griner and Victor Bout, per the NYT. 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. Thank God I sat for the July 2022 bar exam you may now address me as Counselor!" Im humbled that I do not have to! 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. Offers may be subject to change without notice. "Yesterday my heart was made whole thanks to the collective efforts of MANY! Legal Statement. ", Shouty Man may have been right, Arsenal WONT win Prem & will live to regret it. Cherelle said that he had spoken to Brittney twice by phone while she has been detained, describing the more recent call as "the most disturbing phone call I'd ever experienced.". 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. 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 . "I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. 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. 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. Im humbled by their hearts. "I'm humbled by their hearts," she wrote. "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. 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. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. The annulment was not granted, and the couple remained married until their divorce was finalized in 2016, TMZ reported. A Russian court later upheld the sentence and on November 4, Brittney was moved to a penal colony in Russia. 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. 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. 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. Congratulations Attorney Cherelle Griner.". She still encourages players to go overseas to play in the off-season if needed, but to "pay attention to the geo political nature of where you're going, because B.G. Over the months, she had steadily put public pressure on the White House not to forget about her wife. Joe Biden met with the wife of Brittney Griner, who remains in a Russian prison. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. WNBA player, Brittney Griner, joined the Phoenix Mercury basketball team in 2013. She also worked as a teacher and graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in political science and government. ", "That was the complete end of it. 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. So, they've been married for about three years. 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 families deserve to be whole! Britney arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday by private plane from Moscow, according to a statement by the Emirati and Saudi foreign affairs ministries. Her footprint is amazing for Russia. I didn't want to break the law," Brittney told the judge during the trial. She graduated from the North Carolina Central University of Law in May 2022 and shared her accomplishment through an Instagram post. "I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. 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. 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. Ever since the news of her arrest broke, her wife Cherelle Griner and fans have pushed hard for her 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'. exchange Griner and and another American detained by Russia, Paul Whelan. But there was no intent. The couple posed with local justices and officials to commemorate Cherelle's milestone on Sunday. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that her situation is "only made worse" by the country's history of homophobic persecution. Brittney and Cherelle met as undergraduates at Baylor University in Texas, according to Us Weekly. The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared some major personal news of her own. The wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared some major personal news of her own. "To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some is humanity in its purest form," Cherelle Griner 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. 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!". Jesse Jackson, Tamika Mallory, and three congress people for their work in getting Brittney back to the states. Al. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap, CNN reported. The Phoenix Mercury unveiled a new campaign for their 2023 WNBA season on Thursday: Valley Together. "You may now address me as Counselor," Cherelle Griner wrote on social media. "Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.". 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." "There aren't enough words for me. For more on Brittney Griner, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. Reuters reported on July 7 that Brittney pleaded guilty to the drug charge and said she unintentionally broke the law.