“Proud Of You”: Amidst Controversy, Simone Biles’ Mother Celebrates AP Female Athlete Of The Year Feat

Simone Biles can always rely on her gymnastics skills to rend the miasma of grief surrounding her life. Just when the iconic gymnast was delving into her pit of strength to overcome the scrutiny of her relationship with NFL husband Jonathan Owens, the jitters of celebration and jubilation swooped in. Now, the Biles-Owens household is once again filled with mirth and laughter, as the Olympian received a well-deserved recognition.

In recent days, her relationship with Jonathan Owens was called into question after the latter announced that Simone Biles made the first move in the courtship. Now, all that is in the distant past as she has been honored with The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year award. But, the 26-year-old gymnastics sensation finds even greater joy in the heartfelt praise from her proud mother.

Simone Biles’ mother pens celebratory post

The proud mama Biles took to Instagram to express her adoration for her daughter’s achievements. She posted a smiling picture of Simone Biles decked in gold with the caption, “SOOO Proud of you Simone, AP Female Athlete of the Year for the third time. Blessings for 2024”. Nellie Biles’ pride was justified, considering the last time Simone Biles bowed before the judges was at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She took the balance beam bronze and ended her year on a bitter note. What followed was months of torment and self-doubt. Jonathan Owens shed some light on this difficult time in her life during ‘The Pivot Podcast’, saying, “We might be in the bed and she might just start crying”.

Fast forward to 2023, and Simone Biles has attained the top spot in the gymnastics world once again. Now, the seven-time Olympic medalist has defeated Caitlin Clark of Iowa basketball and Aitana Bonmati of the World Cup-winning Spanish soccer team for the AP Female Athlete of the Year. Throughout her tumultuous journey which became more pronounced after the controversial remarks from Jonathan Owens during the aforementioned podcast, Simone Biles has stayed loyal to her adoptive parents, who changed her life.

Simone Biles credits her success to her adoptive parents

During an exclusive with People magazine earlier this year, Simone Biles expressed her gratitude to her adoptive parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles. In the absence of a biological mother and father, Simone Biles’ prospects were tenuous at best. Therefore, when her grandparents filed for adoption, Simone and her sister, Adria, were saved from the foster care system.

Read More: “Can’t Do It Anymore”: In Absence of Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles Faces a Tough Challenge at Home

During the interview, she said, “Being separated from my biological mom, being placed in foster care before I officially got adopted by my grandparents, it just set me up for a better route at life”. She is forever grateful to her parents, who charted the course to a successful life for her.

Watch this story: SIMONE BILES’ BEYOND TWISTIES: THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND HER MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY