Brittney Griner made a public statement for the first time since being released from a Russian prison. Griner, who returned to the U.S. on Dec. 9 after being held in Russia for almost 10 months, expressed gratitude and joy when she went to Instagram on Friday.
“It feels so good to be home!” the WNBA star wrote. “The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”
Griner thanked her wife Cherelle, her family, her agents, her lawyers, WNBA teams and players, and her fans and advocates. She also thanked President Joe Biden.
“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner said, referring to the ex-Marine who is still imprisoned in Russia. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”
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The basketball star posted a photo of herself stepping off a plane in Texas when she returned to the U.S. She also included a picture of herself hugging her wife when they saw each other for the first time in nearly a year.
According to ABC News, Griner has left the San Antonio military base where she was recuperating. She is now headed home.
“As I transition home to enjoy the holidays with my family, I want to acknowledge and thank the entire PISA staff and medical team at the San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Base,” Griner wrote. “I appreciate the time and care to make sure I was okay and equipped with the tools for this new journey.”
The Phoenix Mercury star provided further clarification on her future plans.
“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” she wrote.
Griner was taken into custody in February after officials at a Moscow-area airport said she was in possession of vaping cartridges containing hashish oil. The substance is illegal in Russia.
The basketball star pleaded guilty in July. She was sentenced to nine years in prison on Aug. 7. Griner then appealed the sentence, but she was rejected.
The American athlete finally found her freedom when the U.S. negotiated a deal with Russia to swap Griner for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
