Sports world reacts to Brittney Griner’s release: ‘BG is free’

Reactions immediately exploded online.

“When I tell you nothing could kill my vibe today! My sis is coming home,” former WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones tweeted.

Another former league MVP in Breanna Stewart was in the practice of counting down each day that Griner had been detained through her social media feeds. She was able to update one final time Thursday morning.

“BG is free. 294 days and she is coming home!!!” Stewart wrote.

South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley, who coached Griner in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, was regularly outspoken about the need to bring the seven-time all-star home. She and Stanford Coach Tara VanDerveer recently coached a game against each other as the top two teams in the country and both wore shirts with Griner’s picture on it. Staley has worn multiple Griner-themed shirts while coaching.

“God’s grace is SUFFICIENT!” Staley wrote. “[Brittney Griner] is home! I love you BG!”

Staley made an appearance on ESPN and further expressed her thoughts over the news.

“I was shocked, actually” Staley said. “I cried. … And I’m a girl from Philly, we don’t cry very easily.

“It [was] almost deathlike because she’s going through things that are unimaginable.”

The promotion of Eric Thibault to Washington Mystics head coach was announced last month and he started his introductory news conference speaking about Griner.

“It’s a day of celebration and relief,” he said in a text message Thursday. “We are all so happy for BG and her family that she’s coming home. Huge credit to everybody who worked for her release — from the players in our league to the Biden administration.”

Mystics General Manager Mike Thibault has worked with Griner over the years through his stints as an assistant coach within USA Basketball. He thanked those involved in her return and spoke about her “zest for life” and how the “nightmare” is over.

“I have been fortunate enough to be around BG in both basketball and social settings and have loved being around her,” Mike Thibault said in a text message. “Her energy and zest for life has always stood out and it’s so wonderful to know that she is free from this nightmare and will be reunited with her wife, family and friends.”

Both commissioners from the WNBA and NBA put out statements late Thursday morning. Cathy Engelbert had been diligent in speaking about Griner’s situation and regularly began news conferences or public appearances with a reminder. All of the league’s teams had a Griner graphic on the floor throughout the season.

“There has not been a day over the past ten months where we all haven’t had Brittney Griner on our minds and in our hearts,” Engelbert said in a statement, “and that has now turned into a collective wave of joy and relief knowing that she will soon be reunited with her family, the WNBA player community, and her friends. BG has shown extraordinary courage and dignity in the face of enormous adversity.

“The WNBA is grateful beyond measure to the Biden Administration, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and all those who played a role in bringing BG home today. Our hope is that Paul Whelan and every wrongfully detained American will be returned home safely and as soon as possible.”

Silver echoed those sentiments. Many NBA players regularly brought attention to Griner’s detainment in the months following her arrest.

Why was Brittney Griner in Russia, and why was she detained?

“Brittney has had to endure an unimaginable situation and we’re thrilled that she is on her way home to her family and friends,” Silver said in a statement. “We thank the members of the NBA and WNBA community who never wavered in their efforts to raise awareness of Brittney’s unjust circumstances.”

The reactions went beyond women’s basketball as members of the political realm also chimed in. Former president Barack Obama, a well-known basketball fan, also took to Twitter.

“Grateful for the long-overdue release of Brittney Griner today from Russian custody,” Obama wrote. “Kudos to @POTUS and his administration for the difficult diplomatic work involved to make it happen. We’re looking forward to having Brittney back home.”

Former first lady and secretary of state Hillary Clinton expressed her relief and gratitude on social media.

“Brittney Griner is coming home. Just incredibly good news,” Clinton wrote. “Thank you to President Biden and everyone in the administration who made this happen, as well as the advocates who pushed for it.”

Not everyone was fully supportive. Some have been critical of Griner for taking the cannabis oil into Russia and others pointed to the fact that former Marine Paul Whelan remains in Russian prison. There were also some critical of trading arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the Merchant of Death, back to Russia.

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons reacted to Whelan not being freed.

“Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah,” Parsons wrote.

Parsons returned to Twitter to clarify his remarks.

“My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner,” Parsons wrote. “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.”

David Whelan, Paul’s brother, released a statement that the family had been told by the Biden administration that he would not be included in the swap. The Whelan family was both disappointed and happy for Griner.

“This time, US government officials let us know in advance that Paul would be left behind [12/7/2022], unlike last April when they left him,” David Whelan, said in a statement. “That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul. I do not know if he is aware yet, although he will surely learn from Russian media. Our parents have had calls with him every day since his return to IK-17 on December 2d, and they will surely speak to him soon.”

The statement also acknowledged the administration for not waiting to include Whelan if it was not possible to do so. President Biden held a news conference with Griner’s wife Cherelle and noted that the swap wasn’t a choice of what American to bring home, but “Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney.”

“I am so glad that Brittney Griner is on her way home,” the Whelan statement continued. “As the family member of a Russian hostage, I can literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays. There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed and for them to go home. The Biden Administration made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home and to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to happen.”

Russia wanted Viktor Bout back, badly. The question is: Why?

Paul Whelan, himself, spoke to CNN from a Russian penal colony on Thursday and expressed disappointment in the lack of progress on his own case. He said he was led to believe that “things were moving in the right direction.”

“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up,” Whelan told CNN. “I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

In confirmation of what Biden said, Whelan added that Russians consider him at a higher level than other criminals and “It’s quite obvious that I’m being held hostage.”

LSU Coach Kim Mulkey, who coached Griner at Baylor, put out a statement of support, ESPN reported. It was a reversal from September when a reporter noted that he hadn’t seen anything from her regarding her former star. “And you won’t,” was all Mulkey would say at the time.

Mulkey’s statement read, “God is good. Prayers are powerful. Brittney is on her way home where she belongs. Our prayers remain with her and her family as they recover and heal together.”

Many thoughts have now turned to Griner’s return and her mental health moving forward. She had been moved to a Russian penal colony, which are known for their harsh conditions and legalized forced labor.

“This is something she might be dealing with her whole life,” Las Vegas Aces Coach Becky Hammon said. “She’s going to have to take time to heal. There’s a long road ahead just with the trauma she’s had to deal with.”