It’s never easy to hear about the loss of someone so young, especially someone with so much promise. And this is something Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles’ husband, has resonated with deeply. Usually, Owens is known for sharing joyful moments, celebrating the highs of life alongside his wife, Simone, in the limelight. But this time, his post was filled with a sorrow so deep, it spoke volumes without saying much at all. “RIP,” Owens wrote on Instagram, paying tribute to the 24-year-old former LSU wide receiver whose life was tragically cut short.

Jonathan Owens recently reshared a post from FootballForever, featuring a picture of Kyren Lacy, the 24-year-old LSU star who tragically passed away. Lacy’s death, discovered on April 13, 2025, in Houston, Texas, is being looked into as a suspected s**cide. It’s hard to wrap your head around—it feels like Lacy had so much left to give.

He was coming off an incredible season at LSU, caught 58 passes for 866 yards, and led the team with nine touchdowns—his best season yet. He was on the verge of entering the NFL and had participated in LSU’s pro day in March, where he was ranked as one of the top receiver prospects. To lose someone so young, with so much ahead of him, is truly heartbreaking.

Owens, clearly shaken, shared a powerful message on X: “Always check on your people, man. You never know what somebody’s going through.” It hits differently when you realize that, despite how put-together someone might seem, they can be struggling in ways we don’t see. His post felt a little cryptic, too—like he was hinting at something deeper. Over the past few weeks, Lacy had been going through a lot, and while Owens didn’t call him out by name, it sure felt like he was talking about him. Owens, deeply attuned to the importance of mental health, likely understood the weight Lacy was carrying—something hidden from the public eye, but all too real for those who knew the signs.

Owens’ empathy for mental health, shaped by Simone Biles’ journey

Owens, now a safety with the Chicago Bears, and Kyren Lacy, who was a rising wide receiver out of LSU, shared more than just a love for football—they shared the grind. Both knew what it meant to chase a dream that demands everything, especially in a sport where pressure can be relentless. But Owens’ understanding of that pressure goes even deeper, thanks to his wife, Simone Biles. She’s not just the most decorated gymnast in history—she’s become the face of mental health in sports. When Simone stepped away at the Tokyo Olympics to protect her mental well-being, it shifted the conversation around athlete wellness in a big way.

During the entire experience, Owens maintained his support as he witnessed global reactions and stood by her side during that difficult period. So when he posted, “Always check on your people, man. You never know what somebody’s going through,” it came from a genuine awareness that he held deeply. The tragic part stems from the fact that Kyren Lacy was just beginning his journey.

The previous season, he became the top touchdown scorer for LSU before securing the second highest number of catches on the team with 58 receptions. Scouts took note of Lacy’s 2,360 receiving yards combined with his 26 touchdown reception totals when he spent time at Louisiana, followed by LSU during five seasons. After completing his college career on a high note, he announced his candidacy for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, where he took part in LSU’s official Pro Day evaluation. NFL professional aspirations were directly reachable for him.

In his farewell to college football, Lacy wrote, “LSU has truly made a big impact on my life on and off the field these past three years… Not too many people get to fulfill a dream like this. I am forever grateful for it.” He thanked his coaches, support staff, and family, adding, “Although we didn’t accomplish our goal of winning a national championship, I promise to take all of those life lessons with me in the next chapter of my life.” It’s clear Lacy wasn’t just focused on football—he was reflecting, growing, and preparing for the next step. That’s what makes this loss hit even harder. Owens knew the weight young athletes carry—and this time, the silence said everything.