Simone Biles Addresses Husband Jonathan Owens’ Unusual Act at Gymnastics Championships: “Saw My Parents Doing It”

Seeing Jonathan Owens watch Simone Biles from the stands is something new. However, people witnessed him do something which was very unusual. Well, Biles finally clinched her all-around ninth title with an impressive show on June 2nd at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. Her two-day all-around total of 119.750 was the highest in the competition, bringing her one more step closer to her Paris Olympics dream. Interestingly, amidst Biles’ awe-inspiring display of athleticism, her husband was spotted diligently taking notes. But what was he jotting down?

Apparently, Jonathan was inspired by Biles’s parents, who are known to record the scores of every athlete during her competitions meticulously. It is a task that Jonathan has now taken up himself. Talking to the media after her record-ninth US Championships win, Biles recounted how Jonathan’s insatiable curiosity and thoroughness led him to immerse himself in the intricate world of gymnastics.

“My mom and dad never used to publicly display scores like everyone else,” Biles shared. Instead, they would quietly write down the scores of all athletes on their piece of paper. “At the last meet, Jonathan saw my parents doing it. He understood why they did it, saying, ‘Of course, you get that, I’m one of those.’ Whenever he learns about something, he wants to really dive into it. He’s kind of a nerd in that aspect, in the best way. So if he’s learning about gymnastics, he’s going to dive into it. That’s what he was doing—thinking for everybody and adding it up and stuff like that. 

Biles became a national champion for the ninth time! Now, she is the first gymnast (man or woman) to win nine all-around national titles. And this time, Owens was present to witness her in all her glory. Skye Blakely was second (almost six points behind Biles at 113.850). Kayla DiCello took third place whereas Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles wound up fourth and fifth.

With her recent win in Texas, Simone Biles officially earned her spot for the U.S. Olympic Trials this summer.

This touching anecdote about Owens highlights the strong support network around Biles and emphasizes the significant influence she has, inspiring a passion for gymnastics in those around her. Interestingly, Jonathan had admitted during his appearance on The Pivot Podcast, “I had never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity.”

Now, the tables have turned. It’s been more than a year since the couple tied the knot last April, after meeting in 2020 on the dating app Raya. From that moment on, he began to develop a deep appreciation for the world of gymnastics. In the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Jonathan Owens watched her compete in person for the first time, as awed as the rest of the world. And he could not stop himself from expressing that.

The fanboy side of Simone Biles’ husband!

Jonathan Owens described it as “amazing” to witness Biles compete, where she secured her first-place finish for a record-breaking seventh time. Owens wrote, “What an amazing experience,” alongside a heartfelt photo of himself and Biles holding a pink rose.

“First time getting to watch you compete in person and you didn’t disappoint. It’s so cool that I get to watch you do what you love and be the best at it!! I’m so proud of you, my lil champ. Trials up next, and you already know I’m there!! Love you, baby,” he wrote at the time. But later that year, Simone Biles exited from the Tokyo Olympics due to her twisties.

Despite Jonathan Owens’ absence from Simone Biles’ first meet after her comeback last year because of his NFL commitments, their support for each other remained evident. While Biles tirelessly cheered for Owens at his NFL games last year, this year’s US Classics marked a special moment as Owens was there to support Biles, standing by her side in the stands as she made her debut of this year.

Biles, deeply appreciative of her husband’s unwavering presence, took to Instagram to express her gratitude, acknowledging Owens’s support. Their mutual devotion shines as an example of the strength of their bond, both on and off the field.

However, Biles’s relationship with herself has been a point of contention. After her Tokyo Olympics debacle, she found it difficult to trust herself. But slowly, she has learned to do so and her recent performances are a testament to that. So after becoming a national champion yet again, the gymnast said, “It took a lot mentally and physically to just trust my gymnastics again and, most importantly, trust myself.”

With the 2024 Paris Olympics inching closer, Simone Biles seems to be in a great place. She also revealed that she is continuing with her therapy to manage her mental health.