WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife, attorney Cherelle Griner, are celebrating a joyous milestone with the birth of their first child. The couple welcomed a baby boy on July 8, weighing in at a healthy 7 pounds, 8 ounces.
In an interview with CBS Sports on Friday, July 19, Brittney, 33, couldn’t contain her excitement. “That’s my man. He is amazing,” she beamed, adding that she’ll be affectionately known as “pops.” “They said as soon as you see them, everything that you thought mattered just goes out the window. That’s literally what happened.”
Despite the bliss of new parenthood, Brittney faces the challenge of balancing her career with family life. She expressed her mixed emotions about leaving her newborn to compete in the WNBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, followed by the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking her third time representing Team USA. “He will understand,” she said, smiling. “My whole phone has turned into him now,” she quipped, highlighting her newfound obsession with her son.
The Griners had announced their pregnancy in April with a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing sonogram images and expressing their excitement. “Can’t believe we’re less than three months away from meeting our favorite human being,” they wrote, accompanied by hashtags like “#BabyGrinerComingSoon” and “#July2024.”
The couple’s love story began at Baylor University, where they were both students from 2009 to 2013. However, their romantic relationship didn’t blossom until years later. They got engaged and married in June 2019, solidifying their partnership both personally and professionally.
Brittney’s journey has not been without its trials. In February 2022, she was arrested on drug charges at a Moscow airport while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason. Accused of smuggling hash oil into the country, she was deemed “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. State Department three months later. After pleading guilty in July 2022 and receiving a nine-year prison sentence, Brittney was released in December 2022 in a high-profile prisoner exchange for a convicted arms dealer.
Throughout Brittney’s detainment, Cherelle was a steadfast advocate for her wife’s freedom. In a poignant interview with CBS Mornings in October 2022, Cherelle shared her fears and uncertainties. “It terrifies me because when you watch movies, sometimes those situations don’t end well,” she said. Cherelle’s relentless efforts and the support of many were instrumental in securing Brittney’s return to the U.S.
Upon her release, Brittney expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing, “It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith, and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”
Now, with a new addition to their family, the Griners are embracing this new chapter with love and excitement. The arrival of their baby boy marks a bright and hopeful future for the couple, both on and off the court.
Credit: US Weekly
