'It's our turn to support': Brittney Griner asks fans to write to Paul Whelan, help Americans detained abroad
HOUSTON, TEXAS: WNBA legend Brittney Griner is taking a moment to thank all her fans and supporters who pushed the government for her release from Russian prison recently. After being held for possession of illegal drugs at an airport, she remained captive for over 10 months before returning on December 6. However, in her handwritten letter, she also urged her supporters to advocate for fellow Americans, such as Paul Whelan, who is held in a Russian jail.
"Thanks to the efforts of many, including you, I am home after nearly 10 months. You took time to show me you cared, and I want to personally take the time to write to you and say that your effort mattered," she shared the handwritten letter on Instagram and mentioned Whelan's mailing address. The star added that the letters she got through fans and families with the ‘#WeAreBG’ campaign, helped her ‘to not lose hope during a time’ filled with ‘regret.’
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She described her feeling "vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined," in the letter. The 32-year-old also expressed feeling ‘vulnerable in ways I could have never imagined,’ in the letter. On Whelan, Griner wrote, "My family is whole and now, thanks to you, we are fortunate to get to spend the holidays together. However, there remain too many families with loved ones wrongfully detained.”
She went on, "Those families stood alongside you and all who supported the #WeAreBG campaign to bring me home, and it's our turn to support them. I hope you'll join me in writing to Paul Whelan and continuing to advocate for other Americans to be rescued and returned to their families. I hope your holiday season is full of joy and love." Griner’s wife, Cherelle, also had talked about this from the White House following the announcement of Brittney’s release, "Today my family is whole, but as you are all aware, there are so many families who are not whole."
Biden’s administration has been facing backlash for prioritizing the WNBA star’s release over former US Marine Paul Whelan. Comedian Terence K Williams wrote, "Come on, first of all, let's get something straight. Brittney Griner is not a hero. Bouncing a ball does not make you a hero. Bouncing a ball does not make you a role model. So, the White House can miss me for all that crap,” according to People.
The comedian added, "They left the marine behind. The marine should have been the first one to come home, the marine is the one who put his life on the line for this country. The marine is the one who put his life on the line for me and you and Brittney. He should have been the first one on that plane back home.”