Simone Biles finally addressed the recent backlash she faced from NFL fans with a brief yet pointed message on social media, just one day after finding herself at the center of an unexpected controversy. The 27-year-old gymnastics superstar, still riding high from her three gold medals at the Paris Olympics, unintentionally sparked a wave of criticism with her outfit choice at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Biles was there to support her husband, Jonathan Owens, as he suited up for the Chicago Bears’ preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, her fashion statement, meant as a loving tribute, quickly turned into a sports faux pas.
Biles wore a custom jacket adorned with black-and-white images of Owens in action. But the images featured Owens in his former Green Bay Packers uniform—a major oversight given the intense rivalry between the Packers and the Bears. The Packers’ logo was prominently displayed on the jacket, causing an uproar among Bears fans who viewed it as a rookie mistake from the Olympic legend.
Despite the controversy, Biles remained unfazed. On Sunday, she took to social media to reaffirm her support for Owens and the Chicago Bears, posting a simple yet defiant message: “bear down,” on X (formerly known as Twitter). Along with the message, she shared two photos of herself at Soldier Field, carefully cropping out any visible Packers logos to avoid further backlash.
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On Saturday, Biles’ outfit had included not only the jacket with Owens’ Packers images but also a large Green Bay logo on the shoulder, which drew attention in photos and videos from the game. Adding to her distinctive look, Biles was seen wearing a protective boot on her left foot, a result of a calf injury sustained during the Olympics. She completed her ensemble with reflective silver sunglasses, a black Prada bucket hat, and a Balenciaga purse.
What was meant to be a sweet gesture of support for her husband inadvertently placed Biles in the middle of one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, and the internet was quick to react. Some fans took the misstep humorously, while others were more critical. One fan even joked that Biles should be “stripped of all her medals” for the fashion blunder, though most reactions were less extreme. Despite Biles’ efforts to minimize the Packers’ presence in her outfit, eagle-eyed fans still caught glimpses of the rival team’s logos.
One user commented, “Saying that while wearing the Packers Jacket,” accompanied by side-eye emojis. Another cheekily added, “We know what you really mean. #GoPackGo,” while a third simply asked, “Is that a Packers jacket?”
Jonathan Owens, who played the 2022 season with the Green Bay Packers, signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears earlier this year, reportedly worth $4.5 million. As Biles focused on her Olympic goals in Paris, Owens made the move to Chicago, marking a significant step in his NFL career.
Biles, who was clearly thrilled about her husband’s new opportunity, celebrated the move on social media back in March. “CHICAGO HERE HE COMES,” she excitedly tweeted, later hinting that she might not be making the Windy City her permanent home. In a follow-up post, she wrote, “I’m so excited about not having a connecting flight to go and see my husband hahahaha,” suggesting she would be a frequent visitor, if not a full-time resident.
Despite the minor fashion faux pas, Biles’ commitment to supporting her husband is unwavering, and she remains one of his biggest fans as they both navigate the spotlight in their respective fields.
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, Biles’ message to “bear down” makes it clear where her loyalties lie, even if her jacket momentarily said otherwise.
