Simone Biles and her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, hopped on a plane to Italy earlier this month to attend the Milan Cortina Games, and—after the festivities came to a close on Feb. 22—Biles reflected on her experience in the stands.
“First Olympics as a spectator!” the seven-time gold medal-winning gymnast wrote on Instagram with a collage of frames from her stint overseas. “I’ve lived it as a competitor—this time I got to witness it. Huge congrats to every athlete who showed up & gave their all! And to those who walked away feeling like it wasn’t your best—you are still elite, still worthy, and your story isn’t finished.”
Biles has participated in three summer Olympic Games, making stops in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024. During her inaugural global games, which approaches its 10th anniversary this year, she notched four gold and one bronze medal. She added two more—one silver and one bronze—to her total in Tokyo; and, most recently, notched a trio of gold and one silver at the latest summer games in Paris. Biles is also declared by the Olympics as “the most decorated gymnast in history.”
There’s something deeply poetic about watching the world’s greatest athlete sit quietly in the stands. Yes, we’re talking about Simone Biles, the undisputed queen of gymnastics, the most decorated gymnast in history, the woman who redefined gravity itself. And yet, on certain Sundays, she’s not flipping through the air or standing atop a podium. She’s simply… cheering. Beside the field, supporting her husband, Jonathan Owens, she’s not the headline act. She’s the fan. The wife. The steady presence in the crowd. And somehow, that’s just as powerful.
We’re used to seeing Simone Biles in arenas packed with roaring fans chanting her name. But when she steps into an NFL stadium, the energy shifts. She blends into the sea of jerseys, smiles, and foam fingers.
It’s a fascinating reversal of roles.
For years, millions watched her. Now she watches him.
And here’s the twist: she seems completely at peace with it.
Who Is Jonathan Owens? The Man on the Field
Jonathan Owens carved his own path in the NFL. Known for his relentless drive and defensive instincts, he built his career through grit, patience, and resilience. His journey wasn’t paved with overnight fame. It was forged in training rooms, practice fields, and moments of quiet determination.
That’s probably one reason their relationship works.
They both understand sacrifice.
They both understand pressure.
They both understand what it means to fight for your moment.
And now, when Owens takes the field, Simone is there—clapping, smiling, celebrating every tackle.
Love Looks Different in the Spotlight
Let’s be honest. When two high-profile athletes marry, the world watches.
People expect competition.
They expect ego.
They expect drama.
Instead, what they get is partnership.
Simone has openly shared how proud she is of Jonathan’s work ethic. She shows up—not because she has to, but because she wants to. There’s a difference. And you can feel it.
Isn’t that what real support looks like?
The Power of Choosing the Background
Here’s something we don’t talk about enough: stepping back takes strength.
Simone Biles doesn’t need attention. She doesn’t need applause to validate her greatness. She’s already cemented her legacy.
So when she chooses to sit in the stands, she’s not shrinking.
She’s shifting.
And there’s beauty in that.
It’s like watching the sun willingly become the moon—still radiant, just shining in a different way.
Why Fans Are Obsessed With This Role Reversal
Social media lights up whenever cameras pan to Simone during games. Fans love spotting her reactions—excited claps, tense expressions, proud smiles.
Why?
Because it humanizes her.
We see the legend, yes. But we also see the wife who jumps out of her seat when her husband makes a big play.
And suddenly, she feels relatable.
Balancing Two Elite Careers
Marriage is hard.
Elite sports careers are harder.
Combine them? That’s next-level.
Simone trains relentlessly.
Jonathan studies game tape and prepares for high-impact collisions.
Their schedules are intense. Travel is constant. Expectations are sky-high.
Yet they make it work.
How?
Communication.
Mutual respect.
And a shared understanding of ambition.
Breaking Stereotypes About Athlete Relationships
Too often, narratives around female athletes shift unfairly once they marry.
People ask:
Will she slow down?
Will she prioritize his career?
Will she fade from the spotlight?
Simone answers those questions by living boldly.
She continues her own career.
She trains.
She competes.
She evolves.
And she cheers her husband on without losing herself.
That’s not surrender. That’s strength.
Partnership, Not Competition
In some relationships, success can breed insecurity.
Here? It breeds admiration.
Jonathan has publicly expressed how proud he is of Simone’s achievements. Simone returns that admiration tenfold.
It’s not a rivalry.
It’s a relay race.
When one runs, the other steadies the baton.
Why Her Presence in the Stands Matters
You might think, “It’s just football. It’s just a wife cheering.”
But look closer.
When the most decorated gymnast in history chooses to show up as a fan, it sends a message:
Support isn’t about status.
Love isn’t about hierarchy.
Success isn’t a solo act.
It’s teamwork.
Visibility and Representation
Their relationship also resonates with young couples navigating ambition.
It tells them:
You can both dream big.
You can both win.
You can take turns shining.
That’s a powerful blueprint.
The Emotional Shift From Performer to Spectator
There’s something psychologically fascinating here.
As an athlete, you control your outcome. Your performance determines your success.
As a spectator? You don’t.
Simone understands pressure from the inside. Now she experiences it from the outside—heart racing, palms sweaty, hoping her husband’s play lands perfectly.
That vulnerability is new terrain.
And she embraces it.
Learning to Let Go
Letting go of control is hard—especially for elite athletes.
But sitting in the stands forces that lesson.
You can’t intercept the ball.
You can’t call the play.
You can’t make the tackle.
All you can do is believe.
Sometimes that’s the bravest role of all.
Social Media Moments That Melted Hearts
Fans have spotted Simone in custom jerseys, celebrating wins, and even sharing playful behind-the-scenes moments from their life together.
The internet loves authenticity.
And what’s more authentic than a world champion yelling, “That’s my husband!” from the stands?
Redefining What “Support” Looks Like
Support isn’t passive.
It’s active presence.
It’s emotional availability.
It’s showing up when cameras aren’t focused on you.
Simone Biles as a spectator isn’t stepping down from greatness.
She’s expanding it.
Why This Story Resonates Beyond Sports
This isn’t just about gymnastics or football.
It’s about modern partnership.
It’s about two high-achieving individuals refusing to dim their lights for each other—and instead learning how to shine together.
We see ourselves in that dynamic.
We all want someone in our corner.
Someone cheering when we win.
Someone steady when we fall.
Conclusion: Greatness Isn’t Always Center Stage
Simone Biles has conquered vaults, beams, and bars. She has rewritten record books and inspired millions.
Yet perhaps one of her most meaningful roles is the simplest one: standing in the crowd, clapping for the man she loves.
Because greatness isn’t always about medals.
Sometimes it’s about presence.
And when Simone Biles chooses to be “just a spectator” alongside Jonathan Owens, she reminds us that love, humility, and partnership are victories too.