Cherelle Griner speaks after President Biden announced Brittney Griner's release from Russian custody at the White House on Dec. 8. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Cherelle Griner said Thursday that she is "overwhelmed with emotions" after her wife, WNBA star Brittney Griner, had been freed from Russian detention in a prisoner swap.
Driving the news: "Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life," Cherelle Griner said Thursday, appearing with President Biden.
- "Today, I'm just standing here overwhelmed with emotions, but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration."
- "Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware, there's so many other families who are not whole," she said.
- "[Brittney Griner] and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul [Whelan], whose family is in our thoughts today."
- "We do understand that there are still people out here who are enduring what I endured the last nine months of missing, tremendously their loved ones," Cherelle Griner said.
- Cherelle Griner also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National security adviser Jake Sullivan, among others.
The big picture: Biden on Thursday morning announced that Griner was in U.S. custody.
- In exchange for Griner, the U.S. freed convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, per multiple media reports.
Go deeper... Russia says it expects "positive result" in Griner prisoner swap talks