To think that Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens went from saying, “I never really paid attention to gymnastics,” to becoming history’s most decorated gymnast’s other half? That’s a testament to Owens and Simone Biles’ journey as a sporting power couple. From meeting on the dating app Raya in 2020 to tying the knot in 2023, they’ve gone from strength to strength. But while they may be at their strongest, Owens’ image for Biles’ fans isn’t. And it’s all do do with his recent controversial comments.
The scrutiny of Jonathan Owens’ remarks on The Pivot podcast began with the subtlety of a gentle breeze but quickly escalated into a raging storm. Now, the fans have started to pick apart everything Owens has ever uttered publicly to denounce him completely. Biles has finally had enough and sought to shut down the barrage with a simple question.
Simone Biles’ proactive step to save her husband from trolls
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Simone Biles used the X platform to address her angry fans. She posted a meme of a child scratching their head. The expression on their face was one of disdain and exasperation. The six-time all-around world gold medalist wrote, “are y’all done yet?” This came after her husband’s comments on The Pivot podcast. When asked how he managed to “pull” Simone Biles, his reply was rather surprising.
Watch This Story | Simone Biles Shows Off Her Support For Jonathan Owens In A Customized Outfit
Owens joked, “How’d she pull me? That’s the question.” He then explained how they met on Raya: “I’m like, ‘Lemme see who this is.’ I never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity.” But what he said next caused a major part of the backlash. “When she won the Olympics, I was in college, and we didn’t have NBC.” It didn’t take long for Simone Biles’ fans to dig through the internet to prove that Ownes, in fact, did watch NBC and was aware of the sport.
During the 2012 Olympics—when Biles was too young to qualify—Gabby Douglas became the all-around gold medalist. The Green Bay Packers safety tweeted, “Gabby with the gold !” among other things. But his “how’d she pull me” and seeming unawareness about Biles before 2020—especially considering 2012 was a breakthrough for Biles—weren’t all that sparked criticism. On the podcast, Owens said, “I always say that the men are the catch [in a relationship].”
Jonathan Owens was watching gabby Douglas on nbc in 2012 but didn’t know anything about Simone biles and gymnastics ? Lmao ok pic.twitter.com/QTH1AHS5FS
— John (@iam_johnw) December 22, 2023
These remarks from the NFL player have dispelled the lovely image of the couple from the fans’ memory and instilled a rather negative perception of their relationship. Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles posted pictures from their wedding ceremony to rejuvenate the beautiful memories, but they were in vain. With this tweet, Biles may have rekindled the controversy.
Biles’ meme causes online stir
The fans’ estimate of Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens’ relationship has reached a pivotal juncture, with one-half supporting them and the other blaming the latter for his remark. One fan even offered a problematic prognosis of their relationship, writing,
Hope you got that prenup sis, because it’s obvious he doesn’t plan on staying for too long. You were never his type, that’s why YOU had to chase HIM.
— okay okay okay (@badbjtchbey) December 24, 2023
There’s no doubt that Simone Biles isn’t too pleased with all the hate toward her husband floating around in her fandom. Needless to say, she has every right to be angry. But a fan asked Biles to redirect her anger, stating,
Why you mad at us? Your husband said it pic.twitter.com/Nz5krW80Sr
— peanut butter and jealous (@missed_3pointer) December 24, 2023
This is the holiday season, a time for joy and love. It’s a time to spend with family. But instead of doing that, the gymnast is having to regulate hate on social media. Considering this, a fan gave her some sound advice, writing,
Just log back in after the New Year cause this isn’t stopping anytime soon pic.twitter.com/hq5esKHP8d
— peanut butter and jealous (@missed_3pointer) December 24, 2023
Amid all the recent negativity the Biles fandom has for their idol’s husband, a fan came out in support of them.
Anyone with sense knows every couple has their “How we met” story. It doesn’t have to be approved by anyone else. God bless you and your family Simone! Happy Holidays!
— Steven Dingle (@stevozone4_) December 24, 2023
As the most decorated gymnast ever, Simone Biles is arguably the GOAT of the sport. But her GOAT status seems to have carried over to how she’s handling this situation as well. At least, that’s what a supporter had to say.
This how you handle em on the social. Simone the goat.
— Fat Bacc (@BaccFat) December 24, 2023
Fans are undoubtedly upset about what Jonathan Owens said. They know it, Owens knows it, and so does Biles. One fan pointed out how Simone doesn’t need to waste her breath over the situation.
No. It’s a holiday week. This is going to keep going but sis, don’t be salty over the comments on X though. They’re reacting to what your husband said. pic.twitter.com/fY8bDCc6Ic
— Island Girl – 100% Pro-Choice, Vote Blue (@bluepolitics_) December 24, 2023
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Amid all this, another fan asked Biles to reassess her stance, commenting,
Baby, the people online madder than you and YOURE the one in the relationship. 😂😭😭😭😭😭
— 𝔏𝔢𝔞𝔥 ☾☀︎ (@redforjanet) December 24, 2023
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So far as the public sentiments go, this controversy is not going to die down anytime soon. Let’s just hope Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens have braced themselves for the long haul.