Most NFL players would hesitate to take time off during the intense competition of training camp, but Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens is making an exception. He is stepping away from the field to support his wife, gymnastics icon Simone Biles, as she competes for the U.S. gymnastics team at the Paris Olympics.
Owens expressed his excitement about the situation, saying, “Man, it’s crazy. It’s like everyone’s a gymnastics fan now. People are asking me questions, and it’s just wild to see her on commercials and everywhere.”
The Bears organization has shown tremendous support for Owens’ decision. Since signing a two-year contract as a free agent in March, he and his agent had discussed the importance of attending the Olympics. “We went to them and just asked, ‘We would really appreciate it if he could go and support his wife,’ and they were really cool about it,” Owens shared. He praised the Bears as a “first-class organization” and expressed gratitude for their understanding.
Biles, a six-time world champion and the all-around gold medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics, is a favorite to win again in Paris. If she medals, it would mark the third consecutive Summer Games where a family member of a Bears player has won a medal. In 2021, Robert Quinn’s sister, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, took home gold in the 100-meter hurdles, and in 2016, Corey Cogdell-Unrein, the wife of defensive end Mitch Unrein, won bronze in women’s trap shooting.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has no reservations about Owens’ absence. “Just because we respect the Olympics,” he stated. “That is a big deal. And he’s just supporting the one he loves the most. I think that’s so cool that he gets to do that. We welcome that, and it’s gonna be awesome. Go USA.”
Teammates have also rallied around Owens, showing their support during his absence. “Guys are just being super supportive,” he said. “They’re asking me to bring back souvenirs.”
Owens and Biles tied the knot last year, and this will be his first opportunity to watch her compete in the Olympics. The 2020 Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and fans were not allowed at the Tokyo venues. Owens recalled waking up early during training camp to catch her events, saying, “I would wake up at like 4 or 5 in the morning before I had to go to practice so that I could see her events.”
While in Paris, Owens plans to stay connected with the Bears. “The coaches are doing an amazing job,” he noted. “Every meeting is recorded, so I’ll be getting all the meetings, all the installs and everything. I won’t miss a beat. I’ll make sure I’m working out over there and come back in good shape.”
Instead of waking up to watch Biles compete, he will be watching the Bears in the Hall of Fame Game against Houston on August 1. In Paris, he will be just like any other gymnastics fan, anxiously watching his wife perform. “Oh absolutely, because it’s the person you love most and you see them up there in a position where someone could get hurt,” he said. “It’s always super nerve-wracking.”
The couple maintains a home in Houston, where Biles trains. Owens previously played for the Texans, and after the Olympics, Biles plans to join him in Chicago following a post-Olympics gymnastics tour.
Owens is looking forward to reuniting with Biles after being apart for three weeks. “Seeing her, man,” he said, “I haven’t seen her in about three weeks now, so just seeing her and being able to see her do her thing. That’s really what I’m happy for.”
As the Olympics approach, the excitement builds for both Owens and Biles. With the opening ceremony set for Friday and gymnastics qualifying starting on July 28, Owens is ready to cheer on his wife as she competes on the world stage.
Source: AP News, CBS Chicago
