WNBA superstar Brittney Griner revealed that she thought about suicide while she was in Russian jail back in 2022. She talked about her experenice with Robin Roberts in an hourlong interview that aired on ABC Wednesday night.
“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” Griner told Roberts, per the Associated Press. “I felt like leaving here so badly.”
Griner was in prision after being arrested in Russion on drug-related charges. The 33-year-old basketball star pleaded guilty to the charges and recieved a nine-year sentence. Griner said she decided against suicide because she was afriad the Russian authories wouldn’t released her body to her family. She was relased from prision at the end of the year via a 1-for-1 prisoner sawp with Russia arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Before her relase, Griner had to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she said. “I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home.”
Griner was arrested after arriving at a Moscow airport and Russian authorities said a search of her luggae revealed vape cartridges that allegedly continaed oil derived from cannabis. “I’m just like, ‘Oh my God. How did I make this mistake? How was I this absent-minded?'” she said, per USA Today. “I could just visualize everything I worked so hard for, it just crumbling and going away.”
Brittney Griner signs news contract with Phoenix Mercury
Griner missed the entire 2022 WNBA season due to her imprisonment. She returned last year and averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest for the Phoenix Mercury. Her play in 2023 led to her being named to the All-Star team for the nine time in her career.
In March, Griner singed a new contract with the Mercury. “Phoenix is home,” Griner said in a statement, per ESPN. “The love and support my wife and I have received from the organization, community and X-Factor over the last 11 years has meant everything to us. I’m excited to continue my career in a Mercury jersey and work towards bringing another championship back to the Valley.”
“BG has been a stalwart of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix community for the past decade, and we are excited that she will be with us as we build a team that can compete every night on both ends of the floor,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said in a statement. “We know winning is what’s most important to her and that she can help lead us this year.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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