It’s a hard life being in the public eye. Simone Biles can attest to that. Regardless of whether she’s dazzling crowds in the stands or going about her day, everyone wants to know what she has going on. With the Gold Over America Tour coming up, fans are more excited than ever to know everything behind the scenes. While the 27-year-old’s documentary has been praised high and low by the fans, when it was Jonathan Owens‘ time, he wasn’t as comfortable in front of the camera. 

The Chicago Bears safety was recently on Intercepted with Kevin Byard and spoke about his experience on Hard Knocks. The reality sports documentary was first broadcast in 2001 and typically follows a National Football League team through training camp for the upcoming football season. This time, it’s the Chicago Bears’ turn. Byard addressed the elephant in the room, “You was one of the stars on Hard Knock, man. Like how was that experience?” The 29-year-old stated it was kind of weird at first. 

Owens continued, “It was kind of weird at first because they had their little setup—cool and everything. But you just try to be as genuine as you can because you’re really giving people insight into your life. It really allows you to control the narrative because, like you said, when you’re in the life that we are, everybody wants the inside scoop—exactly what you’re doing, what’s going on, conversations, you know what I mean? So, it was just cool to be a part of that. I was honored that they even wanted to feature me.”

JO also reiterated that fans want to know what they’re doing and what they’re talking about. However, it was also an exciting experience. “Man, being somebody that just growing up man, you watch football, you watch Hard Knocks. Like I remember all these just, you know, players that are my Idols at the time,” he stated.

The Chicago Bears safety confessed that this was his full-circle moment. “Like I’m just calling my friends, telling them like ‘bro you believe this?’. The 29-year-old reminisced about his time back in college. He would wait for a new episode of the show and now he’s on it. However, it took him a while to get used to the camera because once they’re done setting up, the need to come across as genuine doesn’t come as easily.

But even then, Owens mentions this was a cool experience to be a part of. “I was honored that, you know, they even wanted to feature me.” The crew even followed the 29-year-old as he prepared to fly to Paris to support Simone Biles during her third Olympic berth. “They used footage from it. So basically, they got me packing the dogs up, packing my bags up at home. They were there with me for that.” However, the two haven’t seen each other much recently. How does he feel about that? 

Busy schedules have kept Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens apart

Bercy Arena played its part as the perfect stage for the gymnastics leg of the Paris Olympics. And many witnessed Owens cheering the gymnast on with her face on his shirt. But as soon as the duo returned to the States, they effortlessly switched roles. It was now the Chicago Bears safety’s time under the spotlight, and the Olympian cheered him on from the stands. However, with the Gold Over America inching closer, the 27-year-old was back in the gym shortly.

On an episode of ‘Sippin’ with Screeden’, Owens discussed the upcoming game with the Houston Texans and was asked if Simone Biles would be in the stands. “I wish. So actually, her tour starts Monday, and we play Sunday evening.” But despite the distance, they will eventually see each other on September 29, when the tour stops in Chicago. The 29-year-old stated that she’ll be at the game, and later that evening, he’ll watch her at the United Center. Have you been following Owens on Hard Knock?