Jul 7, 2022 - Sports

Megan Rapinoe honors Brittney Griner while receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

Julia Shapero

President Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Megan Rapinoe, soccer player and advocate for gender pay equality, during a ceremony at the White House on July 7. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe on Thursday wore a white suit with Brittney Griner's initials embroidered into the lapel while receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

The big picture: Thursday's ceremony took place just hours after Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February, pleaded guilty to drug charges for carrying vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage.

What she's saying: "The most important part of today," Rapinoe wrote on an Instagram story showing up a close-up photo of the embroidery that read: "BG We Love You."

"BG is being used as a political pawn and we need to bring her (home) immediately," Rapinoe wrote in another Instagram story. "This plea doesn't change that @potus needs to and is working hard to get her home."

Go deeper: Simone Biles and Gabby Giffords are among Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients

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Megan Rapinoe honors Brittney Griner while receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

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