Why did the Celtics wear black and orange shirts ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals?
On Feb. 17, Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia for alleged drug possession charges and has since spent 107 days in prison. The Celtics made a statement.
The Celtics used the media attention this weekend folllowing their Game 1 victory of the NBA Finals series against the Warriors to speak in favor of Brittney Griner.
Some members of the team wore “We Are BG” shirts in support of the WNBA star ahead of practice on Saturday, and a QR code on the backs of their shirts was linked to a petition for the release of the 31-year-old.
Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were among those who spoke up about Griner’s case and reported that they took advantage of the occasion to bid for the return of Griner.
Celtics to show the NBA ‘love’
“The shirts were super important because not only showing our support for our sister that’s wrongfully detained over in Russia, Brittney Griner,” Williams said. “We just wanted to show that togetherness and love that we have throughout not only the NBA but the WNBA. She’s been a vital part of the WNBA for years past, college and in the amount of impact she’s had on young female athletes.”
What cause do the Celtics support?
The website promoted by the Celtics invites people to sign a petition for Griner’s return and urges President Joe Biden to speed up negotiations with the Russian government.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: Griner’s wife calls Biden for more urgency to bring WNBA star back
“To the White House and the Biden administration, we ask that you take action today, by doing whatever it takes, to bring Brittney Griner home safely,” the website reads.
Griner was arrested in February 2022 while heading to Russia to play for EuroLeague side UMMC Ekaterinburg, due to allegedly traveling with large amounts of cannabis oil. According to USA Today, the 31-year-old athlete participated in European tournaments since she generated more income than she did in the WNBA.
The US government, which called the detention “unfair,” has negotiated to get Griner back. It is presumed that the administration of Vladimir Putin has requested the extradition of arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for the athlete.