Brittney Griner’s Wife Cherelle Recalls First Night Back Together

Brittney Griner went through hell while being detained inside a Russian prison. After pleading guilty to possession and trafficking charges, Griner eventually went to a labor camp. Subsequently, the United States was able to negotiate a prisoner swap right before the holidays.

Overall, this was incredible news for her family. This is especially true for her wife Cherelle, who led a national campaign to bring her home. There was no guarantee that Brittney would make it home, however, she did and Cherelle is forever grateful.

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury walks hand and hand with wife Cherelle Watson after defeating the Dallas Wings at Feld Entertainment Center on August 10, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Britteny Griner Makes It Home

In a new interview with PEOPLE, Cherelle Griner spoke about the very first night with Brittney following her release. Essentially, they stayed up and talked all night. After so many months apart, they could not sleep, which is not surprising given everything that happened to the WNBA superstar.

“We just talked all night long and all morning,” Cherelle said. “I had all my freedom. I had my bed. But when you have your family overseas in a situation like that, time zones play a factor. Every night, that’s the only time I could talk to her attorneys and I could handle things. And so I just hadn’t slept.”

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury kisses her wife Cherelle Griner in the stands after the Mercury defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Griner got to spend Christmas with her family, which was probably one of the few things she hoped for while in prison. Now that it has finally happened, she must be feeling good.

Hopefully, Brittney Griner can excel on a WNBA court in just a few months from now, We cannot wait to see her back out there.

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Trump Calls Brittney Griner Release “Unpatriotic” & “Stupid”

As people celebrate Brittney Griner returning home, Donald Trump isn’t a happy camper. The former president previously made his lack of support for Griner’s case clear, but now that she’s been released from a Russian prison, he is issuing new statements. Griner was arrested earlier this year after being found with a small amount of cannabis oil while traveling through a Russian airport. The case gained international attention as Griner went to trial. When she was sentenced to nine years in prison, her supporters championed causes centering on her release.

“What kind of a deal is it to swap Brittney Griner, a basketball player who openly hates our Country, for the man known as ‘The Merchant of Death,’ who is one of the biggest arms dealers anywhere in the World, and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and horrific injuries,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Read More: Donald Trump Says The U.S. Shouldn’t Have To Bail Brittney Griner Out

He also stated: “Why wasn’t former Marine Paul Whelan included in this totally one-sided transaction? He would have been let out for the asking. What a ‘stupid’ and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!”

The former president’s MAGA supporters have also co-signed his take on social media. Meanwhile, his opposers have brought up his controversial moments in politics pertaining to the release of prisoners under his tenure.

Read More: Brittney Griner Release Footage Surfaces Online

Additionally, Griner’s wife, Cherelle, spoke out when news of the WNBA star’s release was shared.

“Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life,” said Cherelle. “And so today I am 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. He just mentioned this work is not easy and it has not been.”

Take a look at the footage of Griner being transferred from Russia back to the United States below.