>
Brittney Griner receives a standing ovation as she takes the stage at the NAACP awards with her wife just over a year after she was detained in Russia… with the WNBA star calling for them to continue “fighting to bring home all Americans detained abroad”.
Brittney Griner received a standing ovation at the NAACP Image Awards before imploring everyone to “keep fighting” to ensure that all Americans detained abroad return home.
Griner and his wife, Cherelle, took the stage at Saturday night’s awards, highlighting people of color and their performances in the world of entertainment.
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and tennis champion Serena Williams were among the celebrities who gave them a standing ovation.
“It feels so good to be here, especially with my beautiful, amazing wife and all of you here today,” Griner said.
“I want to thank everyone and let’s keep fighting to bring home all the Americans who are still being held abroad.”
Brittney Griner and his wife, Cherelle, were present at the NAACP Awards in Los Angeles
Griner expressed the need for people to continue fighting for the freedom of US detainees.
Griner’s wife praised “black women and black-led organizations” for helping to free the star from the WNBA.
“We’re really, really grateful to all of the people, many of whom are Black women and Black-led organizations, who fought so hard to bring BG home tonight.”
Griner has been enjoying something of a public tour of late, appearing at this month’s Super Bowl in Arizona.
She has since also signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury, the last WNBA she played for before being detained in Russia.
Griner was detained in Russia for a period of 10 months. She was released from a penal colony on December 8 after President Biden sanctioned a trade, returning convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout to Russia.
The deal has drawn criticism from Republicans, who were upset that Biden let “The Merchant of Death” go while leaving behind detained Marine Paul Whelan, who was arrested nearly four years ago.
Griner, who had played professionally in Russia since 2014, was returning to the country in February when she was stopped at the Moscow airport with what authorities claimed were vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.
She had been assigned to a penal colony in Mordovia, a region known for its brutal prison system, until the Biden administration was able to secure her release.
Ultimately, Griner was found guilty in August and sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony. A subsequent appeal was denied in October.
The 6-foot-9 Griner is an eight-time US All-Star and one of only 11 players to win an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, FIBA World Cup title, WNBA and NCAA title, which she captured at Baylor. in 2012.
Queen Latifah (center) was just one of many celebrities to spend time with the WNBA star