Brittney Griner Spotted at Super Bowl LVII Following Release from Russian Penitentiary

On Sunday night, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was spotted at Super Bowl LVII in her home state of Arizona, alongside her wife Cherelle, supporting the Philadelphia Eagles.^[0] This marks Griner's third public appearance since she was released from a Russian penal colony in December after 10 months in custody for drug possession charges.^[1]

Griner was detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges in February for allegedly possessing hash oil in her luggage.^[0] The exchange of prisoners happened on Thursday, Dec. 8.^[2] Ten months after Brittney was first jailed in the United Arab Emirates.^[3] She was sentenced to nine years in August, but was traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a controversial prisoner exchange.^[4]

Griner and Cherelle were both wearing green and white Eagles jerseys, with Griner in a throwback No. 12 jersey in honor of former quarterback Randall Cunningham, and Cherelle in a No. 92 Eagles jersey in honor of former pass rusher, late Hall of Famer Reggie White.^[5] The couple was seen high-fiving fans after the Eagles went up 14-7 in the second quarter, while enjoying a pizza.^[5]

Griner has been getting back into the game following her release, expressing that she plans to play with the Phoenix Mercury again when the 2023 season starts in May. She has been at a number of public events since her release, including the Martin Luther King Jr. march in Phoenix, the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament, and the Super Bowl.

Griner has declared her intentions to return to the Phoenix Mercury for the upcoming season, even though she is still an unsigned free agent. Her first statement since release from Russian custody was, “It feels so good to be home.”^[3] She has since posted on Instagram to thank her supporters for advocating for her, and has declared her intention to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season.^[6]

0. “Brittney Griner and wife seen wearing Eagles jerseys at Super Bowl LVII” 12news.com KPNX, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.12news.com/article/sports/wnba/mercury/phoenix-mercury-star-brittney-griner-super-bowl-lvii/75-e2a1bad4-d461-44e4-a4cd-286ed4d1b7bb

1. “Brittney Griner, wife don Eagles jerseys at Super Bowl” WGMD Radio, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.wgmd.com/brittney-griner-wife-don-eagles-jerseys-at-super-bowl/

2. “Brittney Griner Rocks an Eagles Jersey at Super Bowl 2023 in Third Public Appearance Since Return to U.S.” Yahoo Entertainment, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/brittney-griner-rocks-eagles-jersey-012539628.html

3. “Brittney Griner Attends Phoenix Open in 2nd Public Appearance Since Russian Prisoner Swap” Yahoo Entertainment, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/brittney-griner-attends-phoenix-open-195320695.html

4. “Brittney Griner seen laughing and smiling at Super Bowl LVII after Russian prison ordeal” GIVEMESPORT, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.givemesport.com/brittney-griner-spotted-laughing-and-smiling-with-wife-at-super-bowl-lvii/

5. “Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner attends Super Bowl 57 in Philadelphia Eagles jersey” USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2023/02/12/brittney-griner-attends-super-bowl-eagles-jersey/11245203002/

6. “Brittney Griner makes 2nd public appearance since Russia return” ClutchPoints, 12 Feb. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/mercury-news-brittney-griner-makes-second-public-appearance-since-russia-return-ahead-of-wnba-season