U.S. Rep. Colin Allred says he's working with State Department to secure release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russia

A congressman who played football at the school is concerned about the welfare of the player who is being held in Russia on drug charges. Colin Allred spoke about the basketball player who played for the women's basketball team at the school, and has been with the Mercury for nine seasons.

Allred said that the player was arrested in Russia on February 17th.

The State Department has been in touch with my office, and we are working with them to find a solution. It is also happening in the context of strained relations. I think it is unusual that we have not been given access to her from our embassy.

The Russian criminal justice system is very opaque. We don't know where she is in the process right now. She has been held for three weeks now and that is concerning.

Two other Americans have been imprisoned in Russia, according to Allred. Russian authorities say that Reed attacked officers and resisted arrest. The man was arrested on espionage charges. Both men are former Marines and have been accused of wrongdoing. Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison.

This is not the first time in recent years that an American has been held without reason or explanation, Allred said.

This would be run through our embassy or consular services in the country. The State Department has asked all Americans in Russian to leave and we are drawing down some of our embassy personnel in Moscow. I don't think that will affect their ability to advocate on her behalf.

Allred played football for the Bears from 2001 to 2005 and was a member of the TennesseeTitans for four seasons. The 2012 NCAA champion was the top pick in the 2013 WNBA draft. She won two gold medals with the United States.

Allred said that there is a Baylor connection and that he was involved in the response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine. It's also the fact that she is an icon for the LGBTQ community.

I am sure her lawyer in Russia is working through the process. Every day is a lifetime for anyone being held. This must be a difficult time for her friends and family. I am pretty sure the uncertainty about what is happening is terrible for her. We can get this moving quickly and get her out.