Who Is Brittney Griner’s Wife Cherelle Watson?
TL;DR:
- Griner was married for 28 days before Watson.
- Griner knew years ago that Watson was “the one.”
- Watson discusses the anguish she’s going through while Griner is being detained in Russia.
WNBA superstar Brittney Griner’s name has been in the headlines a lot recently after it was revealed that she was arrested on drug charges and is being detained in Russia. In February, officials at a Moscow airport reportedly found vape cartridges believed to contain hash oil in her luggage. The Phoenix Mercury center has been in custody ever since and fears are growing about when and if she will be released and sent back to the U.S. given the growing tension between the two countries after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Griner’s wife, Cherelle Watson, has posted about the athlete’s detainment and why she can’t “stay busy” during this time. Here’s more on Watson and what she wants fans to know now.
Who Griner was previously married to
Before she wed Watson, Griner was married to fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson.
Their relationship was thrust into the spotlight when in the days leading up to their 2015 wedding. The women were both arrested for domestic violence after a fight at their Arizona home turned physical. Griner admitted she made a mistake and their wedding went on as planned.
It was announced on June 4, 2015, that Johnson was pregnant. Griner filed for an annulment the next day. Their divorce was finalized in 2016.
When Griner married Cherelle Watson
Following their divorce, Griner began dating Watson. The pair first met years earlier at Baylor University. According to her LinkedIn page, Watson attended Baylor between 2010 and 2014 and majored in political science and government before moving on to law school at the University of North Carolina.
The couple got engaged in 2018.
Griner took to Instagram with a heartfelt post about how she always knew Watson was “the one” writing: “I will never forget the day I met you at Baylor … You tapped me on my shoulder and told me I took your milkshake (still up for debate lol) and I was immediately blown away at your beauty! You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest! Your love never wavered with me at any point if anything it grew and you have showed me how to love and how to be loved! You over the years have also showed me what it takes to really have a relationship that takes sacrifices, compassion, understanding, and communication … You have opened my eyes to see me for who I truly am! With that being said I love you and I got you baby! Till the end of time my love!”
Griner and Watson tied the knot in July 2019.
Watson posted a message of thanks to fans as she tries to get her wife home
Watson has been expressing on social media how awful it is not having contact with Griner. She posted a photo of their family on Instagram and wrote: “We love you babe! People say ‘stay busy.’ Yet, there’s not a task in this world that could keep any of us from wondering if you are safe … My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats every day that goes by without hearing from you. I miss your voice. I miss your presence. You’re our person! There are no words to express this pain. I’m hurting, we’re hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family.”
Watson also shared a message of thanks to all the fans who have reached out and supported her wife.
Yahoo! Sports noted that the Russian Federal Customs Service issued a statement saying that it had opened a criminal investigation into the large-scale transportation of drugs, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Several U.S. politicians have stated that getting the two-time Olympic gold medalist home is on their agenda.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.
