Jonathan Owens says he initially 'didn't even know' about the response to his controversial statement involving wife Simone Biles.
Jonathan Owens is steering clear of the drama. The 28-year-old NFL safety responds to the public backlash over his controversial comments about being "the catch" in his marriage to Simone Biles during an interview earlier this year.
"I have all my social media notifications off, so I didn't even know for a while," Owens tells Us Weekly. "I was actually with my mom and Simone whenever it came out, so, all the comments and everything, I just let them read it. I try to stay off of it, and obviously if you feel like stuff is kind of getting out of hand, that's when you reach in and say something."
In a December 2023 interview on The Pivot podcast, the football pro said he didn't know who Biles was when they started dating. When asked by host Ryan Clark if Owens thought he was "the catch" in his relationship with Biles, Owens replied, "I always say that the men are the catch."
The comment went viral with many calling him out for alluding that he was superior to his 27-year-old wife, the most highly decorated gymnast in the history of the world, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"Our biggest thing is, we know that those people don’t know us from a can of paint," the Chicago Bears player tells Us. "I can't base how I feel off how another person thinks I'm supposed to be. … Everyone has a voice, but we do a good job of tuning it out. But sometimes you have to express yourself and let people know, like, 'You're in the wrong.'"
Owens also says that the couple will "focus on each other" as the chatter around them grows.
"They don't know everything that goes on in our relationship," he continues. "As long as we stay tight and our bond stays strong, we're unbreakable."
In April, Biles spoke at length about the situation during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
"I thought everything was OK, and then I go on Twitter and everybody's like, 'Divorce this man. He's mean!'" Biles recalled to host Alex Cooper. "I'm like, 'He's the sweetest. He praises the ground that I walk on.' Truly, I've never met a man like him."
She added, "He never said I wasn't a catch. He said he was a catch. Because he is!"
The Olympian said she initially found the whole situation to be "hilarious," but over time the comments got to her.
"I thought it was hilarious what all these people were saying, 'Divorce him, divorce him'… I thought it was hilarious at first and then it hurt my feelings," she admitted. "One night I broke down and I'm like, 'Why are you guys talking about my husband like this? You don't know him. You don't know who he is and if anybody's met him, you know he's the sweetest guy, will do anything for anybody.' That really hurt that they were talking about my husband like that. For me, it's like, talk about me all you want, but don't come for my family, never."
Biles and Owens tied the knot two times in 2023 after getting engaged on Valentine's Day the previous year.
Over the weekend, Biles took to her Instagram Story to show off her husband's meaningful new tattoo that he got in her honor: a cursive "S" on his ring finger.
Last week, Owens was on hand to support his wife as she qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and 16-year-old Hezly Rivera all secured their spots on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team after a weekend of qualifying competitions. Owens was in the stands rooting for his wife.
"No words can describe how proud of you i am baby," Owens wrote alongside a picture of him and Biles kissing after the competition. "Just knowing all the work that you put in and everything that you’ve been through, and to still come back and be as dominant as ever, i was speechless. I’m so thankful to be apart of this journey with you, and i cant wait to be able to watch you out there in Paris. I’m so happy for you babe!!!! 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷 Cheers to going to your third Olympic Games!!!!!! Just sounds so surreal being able to say my wife is the best to EVER do it, how did i get so lucky 😌 I love you so much 🤞🏽🤞🏽."
Shortly after making the team, Biles told reporters that Owens was granted some time away from the Chicago Bears training camp to watch her compete in Paris.
"Yes, the Bears are actually granting him a couple of days off from training camp. So he'll be there, yes, for just a short little time," Biles exclaimed to reporters.
"It's super exciting that we get to be in each other's elements and supporting each other's dreams and goals. It's these memories that we make that we'll never get back," Biles said in reference to Owens cheering her on in the stands during the Olympic team trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "So, anytime we can show up for one another and support we just get super excited because our schedules don't align that much. So, whenever it does it's really important for the both of us to show up and support."
Owens adds to Us, "I haven’t missed a competition yet this year just because I like going out there and watching and everything. And I definitely will say I'm a gymnastics guy now."
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