Simone Biles’ fans playfully roasted her husband, Jonathan Owens, for wearing her gold medal after the U.S. won the gymnastics team final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The NFL player shared a slideshow on Instagram on Wednesday, featuring photos of him posing with and kissing his wife, 27, while proudly wearing her medal around his neck.
“Witnessing history every time you step on the mat ??,” Owens captioned the post. “Congrats baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history!!!! Just wow!!!! 8 of them!!!!! So thankful I was there to see it ????.”
Fans quickly took to the comments section to poke fun at Owens. One person wrote, “That’s Simone’s gold medal you’re holding, not yours my guy. ?,” a comment that garnered over 4,000 likes. Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, “Why is he holding it like he won it,” while a third added, “Give the medal back, baby, that’s not yours.”
RELATED: Chicago Bears Player Jonathan Owens Sends Sweet Message For Simone Biles On His Way to Paris
A fourth user humorously referenced Owens’ previous remarks on the “Pivot” podcast last December, where he admitted he didn’t know who Biles was when they matched on the Raya dating app. “Now you know who she is, right? ?,” the commenter joked.
During that podcast episode, Owens confessed, “I’m like, ‘Lemme see who this is.’ I never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity.” This comment raised eyebrows given Biles’ global fame from her Olympic performances. Furthermore, Owens stirred controversy by declaring he thought he was “the catch” in their relationship, stating, “I always say that the men are the catch.” Despite Biles defending him and calling out critics as “disrespectful,” the remarks continue to haunt him.
This week’s Instagram post reignited the debate, even as Owens has been visibly supportive of Biles, attending all her competitions.
Notably, he even sought permission from the Chicago Bears to attend the Olympics in Paris during the NFL team’s preseason preparations.
However, not all responses were critical.
Some fans defended Owens. One supporter wrote, “Y’all are so miserable to keep bringing up his comment about not knowing who she is. It’s not uncommon for people to not know who other athletes are if they’re not into certain sports. This man loves that girl through and through, and they make such a fly couple! Congratulations, Simone.”
Biles herself had no issue with Owens holding her medal, commenting, “My whole heart. I love you ??.” She added, “Means the world you’re here.” Rapper Flavor Flav, who is sponsoring the U.S. women’s water polo team at the Olympics, also chimed in, “Everyone loves a supportive KING ???.”
Biles and Owens began dating in 2020, going public with their relationship on Instagram that August. They tied the knot in a courthouse wedding in April 2022, followed by a beachside ceremony in Mexico a few weeks later, surrounded by family and friends.
Despite the playful jabs and lingering controversy, the couple’s strong bond and mutual support shine through, demonstrating the resilience of their relationship amidst the public’s scrutiny.
