Cherelle Griner Posts Thankful Message After Wife Brittney Griner’s Release From Russian Prison

Brittney Griner’s wife shared a message of gratitude in her first Instagram post since Brittney’s return from a Russian prison.

The WNBA star was released on Thursday in exchange for the release of Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, and Brittney has reunited with her wife Cherelle after nearly 10 months apart.

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“Yesterday, my heart was made whole thanks to the collective efforts of MANY!” Cherelle wrote. “I’m humbled by their hearts. To care for another – a stranger to some, a friend to some – is humanity in its purest form.”

She continued, “As BG and I start our journey to heal our minds, bodies and spirits, I wanted to personally say thank you to some of the hands, seen and unseen, that helped make it possible for me to see my wife again!”

The post showed a grid of photos documenting numerous people Griner whom thanked in the caption, including some notable figures like Robin Roberts, Joy Reid, Reverend Al Sharpton, Whoopi Goldberg and the other hosts of The View and Gayle King.

Cherelle’s list of people and organizations to thank was extensive. She also expressed her gratitude to the “special people” in the Biden administration, as well as “44 civil and human rights orgs, especially the organizations representing black women and LGBTQ+ people.”

“I appreciate each and every one of you,” Cherelle said.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens told CNN about the flight home with Brittney. After months away from English speakers, she wanted to talk to everyone during the flight.

“I was left with the impression [that] this is an intelligent, passionate, compassionate, humble, interesting person. A patriotic person,” Carstens said of the basketball player. “But above all, authentic. I hate the fact that I had to meet her in this manner, but I actually felt blessed having had a chance to get to know her.”