Transcripts For MSNBCW The 20240702

In the airport. In russia. It was definitely a freefall. I literally saw my life flash before my eyes. I was like, its over. Bg is no more in that moment. And i was deathly afraid. Wnba star Brittney Griner in her first cable interview since her imprisonment in a russian gulag. We talk about the fear, the sham trial, the letter she wrote to putin, how trump turned on her, and her joyful homecoming. And welcome to a Special Edition of the reidout. Interest in Womens Basketball is surging thanks to young talent and top rookies like kamilla cardoso, angel reese and caitlin clark. All of whom helped boost the wnbas star power, as well as draw attention to pay disparities in the league. But not too long ago, the world was fixated on one particular Basketball Star for an incident that occurred far from any american court. Back in february 2022, Brittney Griner, a wnba allstar and twotime olympic Gold Medalist was stopped at a Security Checkpoint at a moscow airport. Officials said they found Vape Canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner played basketball in russia during her offseason, something many wnba players do to supplement their league salaries. After being found guilty of Drug Smuggling and possession charges, griner was sentenced to nine years in a russian penal colony. Many feared how griner would be treated in russia as a black queer woman, and high profile american. Especially during a time when russia was invading ukraine. In the u. S. , griners wife Cherelle Griner lived a different nightmare in a perpetual state of waiting while becoming the public face to bring brittney known to her family and friends as bg, home. Seven months in Apenal Colony in russia, known for its harsh conditions, griner said she contemplated suicide, and has recently shared more details on the harrowing days. Being left outside in the frigid russian winter for hours, having to get permission to cut her frozen locs in prison. She was finally released on the tarmac in the United Arab Emirates in exchange for a russian arms dealer. Its been 17 months since her detention in russia. And in hr first Cable Television interview, we get to hear about the story from Brittney Griner herself. Brittney, thank you for being here. Thank you. I appreciate you being here to talk to me. Your book is so good. Its so poignant. It might have given me a nightmare or two, but its important that you told this story. Because it strikes me that only you could have been in the situation that you were in, for a lot of reasons. Were going to get into some of those. I pulled some quotes from your book that i want to read to you. Im going to read you to you. This is the first one that struck me, struck all of us on the team. And it says, fear takes many forms. Theres the kind you feel when life sneaks up from behind and frightens you half to death. Some people freeze. Others run. Im usually the one who fights like hell. When i saw those cartridges, not one but two, different types of fear shuddered through me. There was the instinct to fight, flee, or freeze. Instead, my body went into a major freefall, as if i stumbled off a cliff and plunged into the ocean. Talk to me about that moment when you realized that those cartridges had accidentally remained in your bag. In the airport, in russia. It was definitely a freefall. It was just like, you ever been so scared, like, something just really, like, to the core, not you know, a little ghost scare, but im talking really loved one in danger type fear. That feeling is what went through my whole body. I literally saw my life flash before my eyes. I was like, its over. Bg is no more. In that moment, and i was deathly afraid. Were you sure then . Because you know, part of this story is the fact that you were a star in russia. You were on the team, the star of that team. Russian kids run up to you and want your autograph. Did part of you think, no no, theyre going let me go . There was a little hope but then at the same time, i also understand the relations between our countries. Im like, uhuh, thats not going to slide. And you talk about not just that but being forced to sign something. Now, you dont speak russian. Not at all. And no one there spoke english. They finally get somebody from dutyfree. Dutyfree store. To come over and try to translate. When you finally relented after being prodded and needled to sign this paper, what did you think you were signing . I had no idea what i was signing. I knew i was signing something that probably needed to be read to me. You know, my dads history in Law Enforcement and all that. So i knew this was something that needed to be explained to me. What am i by me signing this paper, what am i saying, what am i agreeing to . What rights am i giving up . It was none of that. Just a dutyfree worker who came over and said you sign here in very broken english. It wasnt even you have to sign this paper because this is giving up your rights or youre admitting to none of that. You played for seven years in russia. You know a Little Something about the country. You felt you had an affinity for the country. In that moment as youre thinking im going to be arrested, you write about your arrest and youre told youre going to be taken to the police station, a temporary detention center. Its like a county jail. So now you know, okay, not only are they arresting me, but im really going to be taken to jail. Yes. Did you think in that moment, i, Brittney Griner, am being taken to jail, or did you think in that moment, wait a minute, im a black, queer woman, in a country in which i am a super minority and not necessarily an embraced minority, and What In The World is that jail going to be like for me . I was terrified when i was thinking of going to that jail. I was thinking what game are they going to play, and i soon found out one of the games, trying to tell me to go to one of the mens cells. Im like, im not going in that cell. Then the other guard said something in russian, shook his hand. Then they take me to the womens side. I was just like, see, its a game. And i knew all that was stacked against me. Did you believe you were targeted deliberately, that people knew who you were, knew you were landing on that flight, and deliberately targeted you . I believe so, yes. I wholeheartedly believe that. The whole going through, doing the transfer, how i was singled out to come over when theres a flood of people walking through, not being scanned. Things not getting searched. And i saw the people, there was a tip, something, they knew i was coming through. When you got to the jail, you write a lot about the isolation of being in a cell alone. You write about the pain of the ride. You are a tall, tall person. 69 . 69. Trying to fit into a car where theyre not concerned about your physical health and your physical safety. I wonder if you think that the people in that jail knew who you were and decided they were then going to further target you, the bullying. It was striking to see that to see you write about the way that you were sort of made a spectacle. Turned into a spectacle. Yes. In your mind, was it simply your identity or do they think we know who this is, were going to mock her . I would hear things like the american, the basketball american. I would see the little hole where they could see you, they would lift that up all the time, all hours of the night. I would hear it go up and down and snickering and the laughing, and im like, okay, im the zoo animal today. Im the zoo animal they get to come see. I think one of the most tragic things about the narrative that you wrote is that, you know, you write about that not being the first time you felt that way. Mmhmm. You write about being always the tallest. About always being different. Even growing up. Yeah. And so it strikes me as doubly tragic to feel as you said like the zoo animal when for you, other than playing basketball and sports getting you out of that feeling just growing up, talk a little bit about that. Definitely i always felt like i was the outsider. I vividly remember sixth, seventh grade, another girl literally came up to me, touched my whole chest and was like, see, shes not shes not a girl. Like the ooh, look how different you are. And i have always felt that. I mean, i am different. When i walk in a room, people notice how different i am. It took me a little bit, but i embraced it. That moment being in that prison and how they were treating me, it took me back to that spectacle of my childhood. I mean, even to the point of essentially threatening to put you in the madhouse. Trying to force you to admit youre a drug addict, using all of the stereotypes of a black person, you must be a drug adktd, asking when did you decide you were gay, and trying to sort of, you know, needle you in that way. It was so crazy. I was like, i didnt decide that i was gay. Like, i knew this. And when i said it and it was translated to them, you could see their faces like, what, no, thats not right. When did you choose . When did you start having sick thoughts . I said, i never started having sick thoughts. And then being told that theyre going to throw me in basically the madhouse if i didnt admit to my guilt. Take me back before that. Because you had to have obviously developed some skills growing up in dealing with bullying, and as somebody who has dealt with a little bullying and understands that on some level as well, sports and athletics does help a lot. It does. If gives you something for people to focus on, being a class clown a little bit. You write about making people laugh with you rather than at you. Talk about some of the skills you had to develop growing up in order to deal with that. Getting a thick skin, i definitely developed a thick skin going through all that. When i found sports, it gave me a purpose. Instead of acting out and trying to get people to like me, i was able to channel that into my performance on the court. And it was crazy. I always talk about, i became popular when i started playing basketball. Now, i can be accepted because im doing this cool thing on the court, but when i really felt the acceptance is when they got to know me and they were like, bg, youre really cool. Like, oh, or like i can relate to you more. And thats when i really felt the genuine, like, acceptance. I felt it a little bit, of course. Im young and felt the stardom a little bit. Like finally, but it wasnt finally until they got to know me. Then you found love. I did. Cherelle, because the other thing that obviously got you through really what was torment and being tormented, and in this case by yourself, before you had anyone with you, it was cherelle, her faith, and it was knowing that she was there that got you through it. But initially, you desperately were trying to get in touch with her. You desperately were sending these text message. Pick up the phone. It was 2 00 in the morning. Talk about being without her in that moment. I was searching for her so hard. I was sending message, calling, message, but it was the wee hours. I did this flight so many times that she was probably she was still asleep and waiting for me to be on my next flight. When i finally got to her, it was a little bit of a relief because i know someone that loves me knows exactly whats going on, where im at. She can start rallying the troops to figure out the next course of action, plan. I was lost. I really didnt understand. I really didnt know what to do next. I knew to just be quiet and wait for legal representation. But other than that, i really needed her. Let me read a little more of your book. And you write this, it was relles strength that i borrowed when mine ran out. I wanted to tack my life more than once in those first weeks. I didnt care anymore if there was an after life. I just wanted that one to be over. Suicide would have been easy. I couldnt put my family through that nightmare and i especially couldnt do that to my mama. That and relles faith are what kept me there. I note you write a lot about faith. Not just cherelles faith, but the faith that you developed over time. Yeah. Tell me a little more about that, because i think for a lot of people, people might be surprised that you could develop a strong faith, not only because of the situation, but because in this country, people who claim to be christians, and i will say claim to be christians, are not normally affirming of someone like you. So how did you find faith in that moment . It was a journey. It was a journey and it was hard, but you know, my dad would always tell me and relle, her faith was so strong when we first met, to allow god, trust in god. And you know, turn it over to him. In that moment, i had to do that. I had to rely on all those things. I had to turn it over to him because it was literally out of everybodys hands at that moment. And thats what got me through, you know, my faith and my family. If i would have did that, i just knew it was going to be bad. I knew it was going to be bad. Who knows . If they were going to release my body, if they were going to hold on to it. I couldnt put my wife or my family through that. Up next, how russias war on ukraine changed everything about Brittney Griners legal situation. The reidout continues after this. Long lasting relief in a scent free, gentle mist. Flonase all good. Also, try our Allergy Headache and nighttime pills. Lets get the rest of these plants in. 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Any sliver of hope i had that we could come to some kind of agreement or, you know, a trade or something quietly, that all went out the window. When they invaded, i knew that was another moment that whoosh feeling, that sunken just its all over. I was like, this is it. Theres no way now. And how long do wars take . They take forever sometimes. And theyre still going on. And i was like, well, i need to get prepared for the long haul. Because this is going to be a very long time. You wrote a chapter called putins pawn. Did you get the immediate sense once you had russian lawyers, one of whom you became very close to, did it become clear to you and to them that putin was going to use you . Oh, yes. 100 . I mean, the few times that i would get the guards to Say Something to me when im like, where am i going . Am i the only one in the cell . I knew that The American Basketball Player had to be by themselves. Im like, this is weird. Because normally, you go into the holding tank with everyone else. Youre in a cell. You dont have a room to yourself in the beginning. Youre with a lot of people. I already knew there were Little Things going on. Then the checkins. The top guard was always there. The warden, the Deputy Warden was always there. I knew that there was some special treatment, lets keep her good for right now for later on. Yeah. You eventually wrote to your dad. And your mom. You wrote that the letter that you received back from your mom broke you, but it was your dads letter that really, it was hardest to write to him. Yes. Im going to read a little bit of what he wrote to you. You still have a daddy and always will. I have always been there for you and i will be there for you when no one else is. Youre still my baby no matter how old you are or how tall you get. I pray for you every day, for your health and to return home. Everything will work out. Take care of yourself and do what they ask of you. Im glad you got another bed. You needed a bid you could fit in with your height. I hope youre getting sleep now. I know youre probably getting tired of answering so many letters. Remember, i love you and always will. No matter where you are, nothing and nobody can change that. Your dad and mom are with you for life. Please dont ever forget that. Love you, dad. Talk about your relationship with your dad. Me and my dads relationship, its complex. Some people dont really understand it, but thats my hero. You know, it was hard for him, probably, you know raising a child like me. A little different than the average. But hes legit my hero. Hes done everything for me, my career, when i first started off. Like when i was younger, taking me everywhere. There was never, oh, im going to send you with the team mom. No, my dad was with me always. He drove me to every basketball tournament. So for me, my biggest thing was, i didnt want to bring shame to our last name. And you know, he wrote me and told me that i would never do that. And that was a hard moment for me because i still to this day feel like i did. And that was hard. That was really hard for me. Why do you feel that . I sense that throughout the book. Yeah. That you blame yourself for this throughout the book. I didnt get the sense that you stopped doing that. But why do you feel that . You take ownership of what happens. Regardless if you meant to do it, not meant to, you didnt mean to do it, you take ownership. Thats something my dad instilled in me and something ill always have regardless of the situation. I still say its my fault. And i feel like i brought a tarnish to our last name a little bit. And everyone tells me, have grace. Give yourself grace. Its so hard to give yourself grace. Someone like me. Im going to tell you the same thing. Because you have got to understand that this was not your fault. Like, it wasnt. You didnt mean to do it. You packed quickly. As somebody who packs quickly, it wasnt your fault. Your mom, who calls you lady bug, which i love. One of my favorite things. Oh, my god. You put it in the book so i get to talk about, was the first person you came out to when you were a kid. Junior high school. Young. She took it very well. Yeah. She was very cool about it. A cool mom. Your dad did not. What was interesting to me is you start by writing about how close you and your dad are and how youre fixing cars together and doing everything together. One would think, so he knows you better than anybody else. Were you surprised he was surprised, and were you surprised by how negative his reaction was . I was a little surprised because it was kind of one of those things where, i mean, the family knew. They were waiting on me to say it. It was one of those things. And it didnt take until i got a little older and you know, looked at it from his side, from his lens. The era he grew up in, and im not saying it was right, but im just saying that i understand why it was probably hard for him a little bit. And he was so worried about me and how the world was going to be on me. Because he always, you know, it was tough love, but he prepared me for life. My dad literally prepared me for life in everything. I think it was more, he just knew the Uphill Battle that it would be for me. And i think thats why it was so hard. But thats also why i understand and i forgive him. Thats my dad. You only get one. That letter he sent you back was probably the greatest thing in the world to you. I cherish that letter. I cherish that letter so much. Hearing my dad say that, and our relationship is great. I mean, i think he calls my wife more than me now. Thats what happens. Yeah, im like, dad, hello. You can call me now. Its what happens. Up next on the reidout, more of my interview with Brittney Griner. Her trial, why she pled guilty, and life inside a russian gulag. The reidout continues after this. Hi, im jason. Ive lost 228 pounds on golo. Changing your habits is the only way that gets you to lose the weight. And golo is the plan thats going to help you do that. Just take the first step, go to golo. Com. Today, at americas beverage companies,. Our bottles might still look the same. But they can be remade in a whole new way. Thanks to you. Were getting bottles back. And weve developed a way to make new ones from 100 recycled plastic. New bottles made using no new plastic. Youll be seeing more of these bottles in more places. And when we get more of them back. We can use less new plastic. See how our bottles are made to be remade. Shell renewable race fuel. Reducing emissions by 60 . Were moving forward with indycar. Because were moving forward with everybody. Shell. Powering progress. More now of my recent interview with wnba star Brittney Griner who spent ten months in captivity in russia. Lets talk about the trial. So you eventually get moved to a place where you are now with other women. Youre not by yourself. You make friends. You have some people who can translate for you. They put you in with a couple people who spoke english. One is a spy. Listen, let me let everyone know, one is a spy, and i spotted her from the beginning. I didnt trust her from the first time you wrote about her, but you make some genuine friends in there. And then the trial happens. Your wife says, plead guilty. Get it done so that you can be traded. The state department, the united states, they say plead innocent. How did you make that choice . Because if youre going to be designated wrongly detained, as mr. Reed was, as other people were who have been detained, the normal course would be to say i didnt do it. In the end, to be traded, even if you plead not guilty, you have to reverse that and say youre guilty. You have to sign a paper saying that youre guilty. And then taking ownership. It goes back to how i was raised and everything. You know, i did not and i made sure to say that when i pled guilty, but taking ownership for my actions. As much as i didnt mean to do this, and it was an accident. Did you believe that once you pleaded guilty, your sentence would be something on the lower end of the spectrum . It was five to nine years potential. But then they said the word, you have to tell me the word in russian because im looking for it. I cant find it. And when you heard that, after having done the right thing, taken ownership, youre in this court where they essentially put you on display. Thats the way russian courts are, and youre there. You give a statement that is heartfelt, that says i did not mean to bring drugs into your country. Yet, youre giving near the top of the sentence. When you heard that, how did you feel . I wasnt shocked, honestly. I prepare for the worst. I thought they were going to give me ten. When they gave me nine, i was like one year off. Okay. As much as i thought they would be lenient, especially with everything that went into my trial and you know, i didnt cause any problems. I didnt make a spectacle. I followed the rules of their law. And all my Character References and my team and the city stepping up and speaking on my good character and what i did for the city. I thought okay, maybe theres a chance theyll go on the lower spectrum, but when they didnt, i just kind of just sat there, just stood there and let it sink in. How did you process the idea of spending nine years in what then would be a gulag . It was no longer going to be county, it was no longer going to be with the women who had become your support system. This was you go on your own by yourself. How did you process just the idea of spending that much time in a foreign prison . I had to tell myself, youre an inmate now. You cant think, oh, this is wrong. Im innocent or any of this. You have to just say im an inmate, and do what i have to do, whatever thats going to be in the work camp. And yeah, it was tough. When i got back, because your mind starts going. You start adding up the years. Ia say, my dad is this old, hell be this old. My wife, thats nine years. We have been all the things we had planned to do, im like, thats all on hold. Nephews graduated, nieces in high school. I was like, oh, my god. My parents might not be here when i get out. And thats when i started to, like, kind of break internally. That was really hard pill to swallow. Also really cold. Russia is notoriously cold. This one strikes close to home because my husband used to have long dreads like yours. You eventually cut your locs. This is what you wrote. Every black woman is going to feel this in your soul. You know a black woman only when you know her hair journey. The two are tightly interwoven. Having to cut your locs, and your hair looks great, but cutting your locs, how did that feel . It was hard, but it was more for my health, honestly. There survival. Good because standing outside with wet hair and my dreads are literally freezing, and theres snow on top of my head because youre outside for hours in morning checks and night checks as well. I couldnt do it. I was going to get sick. The one thing you dont want to do is get sick. You do not want to get sick in prison. One of the things in the book, its harrowing. Every time there was a chance you were going to have to go to the infirmary, i was like, dont go in there. Its not safe. Were you aware or how much awareness did you have . I know you didnt have your phone, you werent able to call your wife. You really just had your lawyers as kind of your support system. How aware were you that there was a Campaign Building back home to free you . Celebrities were involved, that it was a big deal. He would bring printouts for me to read, and we called them take backs. He would take them back. I would see different things, different artists and actors and people in the public, you know, supporting me and my cause, fighting for me to come back. I was like, oh, my god. This is crazy. Did you feel hopeful . Did you think it could work . I did. I did think it would work, but it was also kind of weird seeing it as well because its like, normally you dont see that. You dont get to see that. Normally when people see this abundance of love, unfortunately, the person is no longer there. Especially when you see your name on the court, being in basketball. You dont see someones name on the court unless theyre with you. A lot of people in the country made the point, if it was lebron james or an nba player, the outcry would have been bigger and sooner, because, you know, and i started by saying this. It literally would only be a black woman wnba player who could possibly be in this entire situation. Everything that you went through, from the antilgbtq bullying to trying to say do you have sick thoughts, to putting you as a spectacle, to the fact that you had to fly commercial rather than private. And the fact that you had to play overseas at all, because it is only wnba players who have to do that. Unfortunately, yes. Were the only ones that literally have to go overseas to close that pay gap. And its a shame. You know, i started off two years in china and then went from china over to russia because they offered me the most. And thats where i was able to make the living for my family. And it would have been a little different. You know, i dont want to say different players names, but it could have been way different. They probably would have asked for autographs and sign it or something, it would have been a different outcome. Coming up, the politics of brittneys return. Why she felt like a pawn and what she wrote vladimir putin. My conversation with Brittney Griner continues after this. Ont. try Dietary Supplements from voltaren, for healthy joints. [cars honking] im a guy who lost a bet. And my dignity. Get out of the way as if watching my team lose wasnt punishment enough. What are you looking at huh. Its a one speed. Hahaha. Hahaha. And if you have cut rate car insurance, odds are youll be paying for that yourself. So, get allstate and be better protected from mayhem. Like me. Hey, im walking here only purples Gel Flex Grid passes the raw egg test. No other mattress cradles your body and simultaneously supports your spine. Like me. Memory foam doesnt come close. Get your best sleep guaranteed. Save up to 800 during our memorial day sale. Visit purple. Com or a store near you hi, im jason. Ive lost 228 pounds on golo. I dont ever want to go back to wearing a 4xl shirt or not being able to climb up stairs without taking a break. So im committed to golo for life. Youre watching a Special Edition of the reidout. More now of my exclusive interview with Brittney Griner. You eventually wrote to vladimir putin. You wrote him a letter. I did. A very careful letter, i guess the way i would put it. Very careful in what you said, in trying to make sure his ego remained in tact. Very hard to do. What would you have really wanted to write to him . I dont think i can say what i want to say. This is cable tv. Its cable. You know, i didnt want to have to write him at all. I really didnt want to have to write him. It was very carefully done and it ended up being two letters because they made me write one in russian as well, which took me two hours to write because i dont write russian. It was more tracing the letter than anything. But trying to pump up someones ego that already thinks theyre on Top Of The World and the horrors he does not only to his own people but he tried to put on other people in the world, it was hard to do. There was at one point kind of almost a competition to see who could get you out between the current administration, the biden harris administration, and one donald j. Trump. Because he has some connections to, i guess, not World Wrestling federation, to some Athletic Federations and he thought, i can help you. Ill be the one to fly over and get you out. And in the book, you say anybody to get you out, you were down with that. What do you make of the fact that after attempting to at least verbally say he was going to compete to get you out of russia, donald trump then turns on you. Yep. And whips up the crowd against you, saying that you should not have been the one traded. You should not have been the one that the deal was made for, it should have been paul whalen or someone else, and that essentially he sicced the maga mob on you. Yeah, no, i was already being used as a pawn, and then to turn around and publicly be used almost be used again as a pawn, you know, here in the states with his administration, you know, it was disheartening. It was like, wow, really, at my lowest moment you want to use this as a game, or when it doesnt work, now you want to flip it. Like really, really, guy . Come on. Eventually, you did get liberation. You got freedom. Talk about that moment when you realized a deal has been made. I was very happy. Very happy. I will never forget ann coming to get me from the prison or from my workshop and telling me, youre going home. Youre leaving. I was thrilled but then scared also because it could fall apart at any moment. And then also happy because im like, okay, maybe its me and pauls turn now. When i get on this plane, you know, hopefully were both on this plane. You know, when trevor went home, paul wasnt able to go. And i wasnt able to go, my trial was still going on. I was really hopeful everyone in russia was going to be coming home. And trevor reeds family and paul whalens family and your family were all in connection, all in contact. Cherelle, your lawyers were all in contact with these families. That forms a bond, i can imagine, that your families really this is a group effort, not just about getting one person home. Definitely a group effort. Theres no way you get through this, no way you go through this, get through this without a unit, without a family, without the other families getting together, bring our families home. It really takes a village because its a lot of emotions. Its hard to work through them as well, too. You spent 293 days in russia, in captivity in russia in various places. What did you learn about yourself in that 293 days . I learned that im a little more resilient than i thought. I was listening to all those stories pops told me back in the day, you know, he used to work in the Prison System as well. And he would tell me stories about how certain inmates would treat him and he would treat them with respect as well. I definitely used that too. I treated everybody with respect. Even though they dont know what im saying, yes, maam, no, maam, yes, sir, no, sir. You would see how some would treat you with the respect you deserve as a human, and sometimes it didnt work. You were in russia, to circle back a moment. You played there for seven years. Did you have any inkling or hints of the kind of negativity toward you as a black person, as a woman, as an lgbtq person, did that ever show itself before this horror happened to you . Did you have any hints of it . I would say no. Im not oblivious. I saw other people experience it. You see other groups experience, their laws they create and that they were creating while i was even there, honestly, against the lgbtq community. And i was lucky to be with a team where we were vip, planes here, planes there, but there was this one time, we were in siberia, and there was a kid called me the nword, actually, but trying to be cool. Trying to be cool. Something he saw on tv probably or a song or something. And we let him know that wasnt right. Oh, im sorry, sorry. But yeah. Theres also this does play up the disparities for the wnba and at your Press Conference you said all of those media people that were there when you were finally freed, i hope youre going to come back and cover the wnba. We recently had a pretty spectacular ncaa final. With two players who are definitely going to be top draft picks in the wnba. What should that mean in terms of what kind of money players like them, yourself, youre playing gem, back with your team, do you think between what just happened there, dawn staley becoming the queen of the ncaa, threetime championship coach, also an incredible player when she played herself. Just her story and she waone of your big supporters as well. Do you think in this moment were going to have a new conversation about the treatment of women athletes and women professional athletes . 100 . How can we not . They always want to throw in our face, well, the viewership. People in seats. Well, our viewership was its an amazing time, and we have to capitalize on that. Up next, i will have more of the wnba starts memoir, coming home, which debuted at number one on amazons best seller list. And her message to those still being held abroad. Abroad. bell ringing someone needs to customize and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual Inaudible Sounds Elevator Doors Opening wait, theres an elevator . Only pay for what you need. Liberty, liberty, liberty, liberty. Anthony this making you uncomfortable . Good. When youve got Type 2 Diabetes like me, you have up to 4 times greater risk of stroke, heart attack or worse death. Even when meeting your a1c goal. Discomfort can help you act. 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I want to talk about a couple of causes that you include in this book. It was very generous at the end. You listed the still detained americans All Around The World and the organization that is trying to get them home. Talk about your involvement with that cause. With bring our families home, the wnba, i will give credit to them and my team for everything that we had done last year and we are going to continue to do this year, playing videos. One of the biggest things is to get these families in front of the camera as well so people will know, you know, up until my detainment, i knew that we had americans detained overseas, but i didnt understand how bad it was. Regardless of whats going on, regardless of the crime, the alleged crime, these conditions and what these families are going through should never happen. It should not happen. So with our coverage, we are using our platforms for something good. Something really good. Giving these families a voice to get in front of america. You have a message you want to send to those being held hostage around the world, if there some way they could get that message, what would you say to them . Dont give up. We are fighting and we cannot give up. I keep saying im on borrowed time, and my release date in october 2030, october 2030. And im not stopping. Im not stopping. We want to make as much noise as we can. What do you make of the real necessity for people who are in your situation to get direct access to the white house . Because that was the key for you. It was a key for the whelan family. Its a key for the reed family. How do you do that . Everyone pick up your phone, pick up a pen, write to your senator, right to the governor, right to the white house, flood their phones. Be heard. Be seen. President biden and Vice President harris got personally involved. And they met personally with your wife. Do you think that their efforts were soon enough, effective enough . Talk about that and their efforts to get you home. I just want to thank them, everything they did. We got to see a different side of politics and how it all works and everything, and you know, they have a lot being thrown at them a lot. It is so much. Hardest job i think in the country, honestly. I just want to thank them so much for never letting me fill or my wife feel like we were forgotten or not heard. I appreciate them for Everything Else and the people they are continuing to bring home right now. I believe President Biden called You First And Then Vice President harris. What were those conversations like . They were good. I heard him say kiddo, and i immediately felt but he was just so warm. And just so personal. The same with miss harris as well. So warm, so personal. Ill never forget seeing ms. Harris behind my wife when she was talking, and she was just looking so proud back there. I was so happy. I have the pdf version of your books i can read it and prepare for this. Now i have a hard copy. I was able to turn to the last page. It was not in the pdf. To my son. I pray that you learn from my hard times so that you can have a life with a little less pain in it. I love you. Is this baby born . Not yet. What you know youre having a boy. The baby is in the oven. What will it mean to you to be a mom . Is going to mean everything to me. You know, you are doing it for somebody else. Every movement, everything you do, everything you say, watching this person develop into whoever they are going to become, i am just so ready for that chapter. We both are, and we are so excited. What advice would you give this baby boy about how to do it difficult times . Hold your head high and keep moving forward. You cant please everyone. Just as long as youre staying true to yourself, thats all that matters at night. Brittney griner, i believe a lot of people are going to be buying your jersey. I believe the wnba is going to have its greatest season ever, and i think you are a big part of that. It is heroic how you stood up for yourself and also stood up for other people in the time of your greatest trauma. I want to thank you for writing this book, inc. You for coming in and sitting down with me. God bless you. And when that baby boy comes, tell him hes got an extra godmother. And thats tonights readout. You can follow me on tiktok and follow our show accounts on instagram and tiktok at the readout. At evening, and welcome to a special two hour addition of alex wagner tonight. Happy memorial day weekend. Nothing says threeday weekend li