Brittney Griner has yet to speak out since her return to U.S. soil, but her wife, Cherelle, is opening up about their “journey to heal,” and thanking those who helped her along the way.
Cherelle Griner posted two photo collages on Instagram on Saturday where she expressed gratitude towards those who helped bring her wife home. Those among the long list included President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Reverend Al Sharpton. She also thanked a few organizations, the Biden-Harris Administration, and SPEHA.
“I’m humbled by their hearts,” she wrote. “To care for another, a stranger to some, a friend to some— is humanity in its purest form! 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!”
“I appreciate each and every one of you,” Cherelle continued. “Let’s continue to use our hands, voices, platforms, and resources to bring Paul [Whelan] and all Americans home. All families deserve to be whole! Love, Cherelle Griner.”
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 last Thursday.
Griner landed in San Antonio On Friday where she met with Cherelle and reunited with her parents after having been detained in Russia for 10 months.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stressed that this is “a critical time” for the athlete and her family. “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.”
The exchange agreement between Griner and Bout was reportedly negotiated with Moscow and approved Biden last Thursday. Paul Whelan, another American who remains jailed in Russia, was not included in the swap.
