Dallas Sports Celebrates Brittney Griner’s Return

On Thursday morning, the news broke that WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner had been released following 10 months of imprisonment in Russia. She had been convicted of drug possession and smuggling.

President Joe Biden shared photos of himself, Vice President Kamala Harris and Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, in the Oval Office along with the tweet: “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”

Biden held a press conference at the White House on Thursday morning to announce that Griner had been released and returned to the U.S. as part of a one-for-one U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson welcomed Griner home on Twitter. “I am grateful that our fellow Texan, Brittney Griner, has finally been released back to the United States,” he wrote. “Dallas sends our best wishes to Brittney and her family as they await her return.”

North Texas teams joined others in the sports world in welcoming home the 32-year-old Phoenix Mercury center, who is a Houston native and played basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco from 2009 to 2013.

“After nearly 10 months, we are thrilled and relieved to hear the long-awaited news of BG’s return,” Nicki Collen, Baylor women’s basketball coach, told ESPN. “Today is the day we’ve been praying for, and we will continue to pray as she reunites with her family and begins recovering from her experience. Baylor family, she’s coming home!”

The WNBA’s Dallas Wings tweeted a photo of Griner with the caption, “Today our sister and our fellow Texan is coming home. Sending love to BG and Cherelle from the entire Dallas Wings family.” The Dallas Mavericks reshared the tweet on the team’s social media accounts.

Griner’s team Phoenix Mercury wrote “She’s on her way,” with the official statement: “Miraculously, mercifully, the count of days detained has ended at 294, and our friend, our sister is headed back home where she belongs. The emotions for our organization, just like for our fans and so many across the world, are those of joyous celebration, deep gratitude, grief for the time lost, and sincere hope for all families still awaiting the return of a loved one … “

Griner was detained in February 2022 while traveling to Russia to play overseas games during the WNBA offseason. Griner pleaded guilty to the drug charges of possession and smuggling in August and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment by the Russian court, which also rejected an appeal request by Griner’s defense team in October. Griner is the second Texan involved in a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia in 2022.

In exchange for Griner’s release, the Biden administration released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was returned to Russian custody on Thursday.

Griner had not released an official statement.

From the White House, Cherelle Griner issued a statement, saying, “Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life. Today I’m overwhelmed with emotions. But the most important emotion I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration. Today is a happy day for me and my family. I’m going to smile right now.”

Here’s how Dallas athletes, sports personalities and celebrities reacted to the news of Brittney Griner’s homecoming:

Yall already know-the Brittney Griner movie/documentary is about to be a thing. Americans STAY OUTTA RUSSIA. They’re snatching us up for any lil reason for political leverage. #DontGoList

— Claudia Jordan (@claudiajordan) December 8, 2022

We are so relieved to hear that Brittney Griner has been released from her unjust imprisonment in Russia, but this never should have happened. As a Black, queer womxn forced into a labor camp, her life was on the line each and every day. Black womxn deserve to be protected. pic.twitter.com/8ft3KpeUfB

— The Afiya Center (@TheAfiyaCenter) December 8, 2022

Brittney Griner is finally coming home! THANK GOD! So happy for her and her family.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 8, 2022

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/9QFqWIn1a4

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 8, 2022

As a fellow former Baylor athlete, I am so glad Brittney Griner will be home to share the holidays with her loved ones.

I am grateful to the Biden Admin for never giving up on bringing her home and will continue doing all I can to bring every American detained abroad home.

— Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) December 8, 2022

The following statement was released in regards to Brittney Griner’s return home: pic.twitter.com/p0D0nhaNDW

— WNBA (@WNBA) December 8, 2022

Jean-Pierre on Brittney Griner:

“She is an important role model, an inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans, and women of color.” pic.twitter.com/XmetL0zObn

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 8, 2022

Today, Brittney Griner is coming home. And today, in a stark contrast to Russian oppression, the U.S. Congress is voting to protect marriages just like Brittney’s. I’m proud to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act and enshrine marriage equality into law. #LoveIsLove pic.twitter.com/aqNp69FuhC

— Rep. Colin Allred (@RepColinAllred) December 8, 2022

Brittney Griner AND the Respect for Marriage Act? It’s almost poetic

We’re having a good day, America! Well, some of us

— Marlissa Collier | Expert Black Person (@blackgirlfllyy) December 8, 2022