Micah Parsons, WNBA players react to Brittney Griner’s release: ‘BG is free!!’
WNBA #WNBA
Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said.
The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price — and left behind an American jailed for nearly four years in Russia.
The deal, the second such exchange in eight months with Russia, procured the release of the most prominent American detained abroad. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist whose monthslong imprisonment on drug charges brought unprecedented attention to the population of wrongful detainees.
Many former teammates and other American athletes have been awaiting her release, and reacted to the news early Thursday morning on social media:
Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife: “Today my family is whole. But as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole… BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan)”
Via @APpic.twitter.com/BFGdnVSGD0
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 8, 2022
My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner. I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be. I just have family who have served and it’s crazy to me the President wouldn’t bring him home too. I’m the furthest thing from a trump supporter but I’m not a fan of Biden either.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
BG is free!! This day couldn’t have started better, and I’m so glad this happened before the holidays.
— Satou Sabally (@satou_sabally) December 8, 2022
BG is FREE!!! 294 days and she is coming home!!! 😭🤍🙏🏻❤️
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) December 8, 2022
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
Related:5 things to know about Brittney Griner: From on-court success to her Russian imprisonment
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