Brittney Griner First Words: Thank you Biden, vow to help liberate others
After nine months in Russian prison, Griner said she will return to the WNBA and help fight for the release of other cannabis prisoners, including US Marine Paul Whelan, who is still incarcerated in Russia.
Brittney Griner said in her first Instagram post since returning from Russia: “It feels so good to be home”. Russian authorities held her for months for possessing less than a gram of cannabis.
Griner had been in Russian custody since February. In August, a Russian court found her guilty of drug possession and smuggling after authorities found a cannabis vape pen cartridge in her luggage. Griner received a nine-and-a-half-year sentence, but Russia agreed to release her in a prisoner swap earlier this month.
The Phoenix Mercury star wrote yesterday (December 15) that their 10-month ordeal in Russia has been an emotional “battle at every turn”. Griner said she still plans to play in the upcoming WNBA season, which begins next May.
She also plans to use her platform to bring Paul Whelan and other Americans home from Russia. Griner added that “President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken, and the entire Biden-Harris administration” deserve a “special thank you” for bringing her home.
“I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love of so many of you that helped me move on. From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone for their help.”
Brittney Griner
Griner wants all families to get healthy again
Griner wrote on Instagram, “I also encourage everyone who helped bring me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.” Griner specifically mentioned Paul Whelan, an American businessman and former Marine who is still being held in a Russian prison.
At 32, Griner remains one of basketball’s biggest stars. She led the US Olympic team to a gold medal in 2016 and won a WNBA championship in 2014. Since 2014 she has been playing in Russia to supplement her WNBA salary. Griner said she plans to play for Phoenix this year as a thank you to her supporters and advocates.
“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season and look forward to saying ‘thank you’ to those of you who have personally endorsed, written and posted to me soon.”
Brittney Griner
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