When Husbands Become Your Unofficial Trainers
Offseason grind? More like offseason roast. WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu, known for her laser-sharp focus and killer on-court stats, found herself on the receiving end of some comedic heckling from her husband, NFL offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu. The New York Liberty star, fresh off her championship win, was simply trying to squeeze in some cardio—but Grasu clearly had other plans.
In a now-viral Instagram story, Grasu, multitasking between driving and filming, jokingly called out his wife for what he perceived as a lack of hustle during her neighborhood run. With a chuckle and a dash of sarcasm, he captioned the clip:
“Caught you slacking. SMH @sabrina_i.”
Way to keep it supportive, Hroniss. Who needs a professional trainer when your husband doubles as an expert nitpicker?
Power Couple Goals: Oregon Roots to Olympic Heights
Sabrina and Hroniss aren’t your average athletic duo—they’re practically a sports dynasty. Both proud Oregon Ducks alums, the pair first went public with their relationship in 2021. Fast forward two years, and Grasu popped the question, cementing their status as one of sports’ most celebrated couples.
They tied the knot on March 10, 2024, in a dreamy ceremony in Laguna Beach, California, surrounded by friends, family, and (we imagine) a lot of competitive banter. Since then, their relationship has been all about teamwork—on and off the field.
For Ionescu, 2024 was nothing short of legendary. She snagged her first WNBA championship, propelling the Liberty to a nail-biting five-game victory over the Minnesota Lynx. Not content with just one shiny piece of hardware, she also helped Team USA secure gold at the Paris Olympics. No big deal.
A Marriage of Motivation (and a Little Annoyance)
Turns out, having a fellow athlete as a spouse has its perks—and its occasional downsides. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ionescu opened up about how Grasu’s relentless positivity has been both a blessing and, well, a slight headache.
“My husband is really positive. Sometimes it’s annoying,” she confessed with a laugh. “But you know, he’s been able to help me a lot. Like, you go home, sit there, and you start thinking, and he’s able to … he’s like, ‘It’s just one game. You didn’t win or lose.’ So getting positive affirmation from the people around me helps.”
Grasu’s NFL career, spanning nine seasons with stints in Chicago, Baltimore, Miami, Tennessee, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, has given him a unique perspective on balancing highs and lows. Add that to Ionescu’s relentless work ethic, and you’ve got a power couple that’s as unstoppable as they are hilarious.
“Slacking” or Not, Ionescu’s Got the Last Laugh
While Grasu might joke about her pace, Ionescu’s offseason “slacking” looks suspiciously like champion-level dedication. Averaging 18.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.4 rebounds in 38 games last season, she’s proven that her work ethic is anything but questionable. And let’s not forget her game-clinching performances in the Liberty’s championship run.
So, Hroniss, keep the jokes coming. If Sabrina’s version of slacking includes winning championships and Olympic golds, we’d hate to see what happens when she’s really working hard.
For now, we’ll just sit back and enjoy the playful banter between one of sports’ most dynamic duos. And hey, Sabrina—next time you lace up for a jog, maybe leave Hroniss at home.
