Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, husband of Olympic legend Simone Biles, broke his silence Tuesday after a heated online exchange between Biles and OutKick contributor Riley Gaines. The debate centered on the complex issue of transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
It all began when Gaines criticized current inclusion policies, prompting a strong reaction from Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist.
“All this campaign because you lost a race. A very sore loser,” Biles posted on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting Gaines should focus on uplifting the trans community rather than tearing it down. “Maybe create a transgender category in all sports,” she added.
Biles’ remarks sparked a wave of backlash. Critics accused her of ignoring the principle of competitive fairness. The online firestorm escalated quickly, eventually leading Biles to issue a public apology on Tuesday.
Simone Biles apologizes, calls for mutual respect in sports
In her post on X, Biles clarified that she never intended to support policies that would undermine fairness in women’s sports. “These are delicate and complicated issues for which I don’t really have answers or solutions, but I believe it starts with empathy and respect,” she wrote.
Biles also voiced concern over how young athletes are publicly scrutinized in these debates. “Individual athletes, especially children, should never be the focus of criticism for a flawed system they don’t control,” she stated. She concluded by encouraging sports organizations to build rules that are both inclusive and fair: “We all want a future for sports that is fair, inclusive, and respectful. Xoxo Simone.”
The message was well received by many, including Biles’ inner circle. Shortly after she posted the statement, Jonathan Owens shared a screenshot of it on his Instagram story, adding three white heart emojis – a clear show of emotional support for his wife.
Jonathan Owens: standing strong with Simone Biles
Owens and Biles began dating in March 2020 and tied the knot just over three years later. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Owens was granted time off from training camp to be by Biles’ side.
“My wife is a warrior,” Owens said at the time. “You limp and it hurts a little right before. But as soon as you go, it’s like you forget about it. Just the pain tolerance and the way she was able to go out there and, like I said, look graceful through it all. People really had no idea what was going on. I’m just so happy and proud of her.”
With his latest social media gesture, Owens reaffirms his unwavering support for Biles amid a public controversy. In moments of heated public debate, family support sends a powerful message – and Owens has made it clear where his loyalty lies, both on and off the field.
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