Brittney Griner stands as a testament of hope to several people across the planet. No matter what kind of issue or how bad it might be, the former WNBA Champion’s story can be very uplifting. Throughout her life, she has faced trials and tribulations. Some issues were massive on a worldly scale while others were personal battles she fought through. Griner held strong throughout her wars.
American basketball star Brittney Griner took the stand for the first time Wednesday during her ongoing trial on Russian drug charges, testifying that authorities did not give her a proper explanation of what was happening upon her February arrest. pic.twitter.com/SDXTmuiOBf
— Forbes (@Forbes) July 27, 2022
Last year, the Phoenix Mercury All-Star was detained by the Russian authorities for violating their anti-drug policy. Russia is strictly against the use of illegal substances, even Marijuana. Griner was in possession of hashish vape oil cartridges which she unintentionally carried along with her. In detention, she could not communicate with her family for weeks.
Russian TV released the first images of WNBA star Brittney Griner since her arrest. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was detained at a Moscow airport after authorities discovered cannabis oil vape cartridges. pic.twitter.com/h9DA9MT6Z7
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 8, 2022
Eventually, she was sentenced to nine years in prison despite making an effort to earn herself a release. There were many points of concern to be worried about.
Brittney Griner uses her story as an example for people to be fearless
Brittney Griner once admitted that it was tough for her to come out to the world. The former Olympian came out at the age of nine. During this time, she had to address it to her mother, which surprisingly went better than expected. Griner claimed that coming out to her mother was “smooth” unlike in other cases. But the basketball phenom had some inspiring words for her fans.
“If you know, then you know. Come out don’t hide it, don’t try to be like anybody else. Be who you are and be comfortable in your own skin,” she said while narrating her story at the GLAAD Awards. She continued, “That’s my message to everybody, especially the youth and if there’s ever a problem, I always want to say find somebody, find anybody! Find me on Twitter, DM me… we will find help, we will help everything out it will be okay.”
It has been a decade since Griner came out to the world. She has been in two public relationships. Two years after getting drafted, she married Glory Johnson, but they filed for an annulment after Griner realized their toxic relationship. Brittney is now happily married to Cherelle, her old friend from college. They reconnected shortly after Griner ended her first marriage. Cherelle was a driving force in Brittney’s release, proving their love’s strength.