Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, but did you know that she’s part of an athletic power couple? Biles is married to Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens, who has been in the NFL since 2018.
The couple have both reached the peak of their profession and are very accomplished athletes. Let’s break down how the couple started dating, how they got married and much more. Here’s everything you need to know about Biles and Owens’ relationship.
Who Is Simone Biles?
Biles is a superstar in the gymnastics world. She’s the most decorated gymnast in history, and she has the most Olympic medals of any U.S. gymnast ever.
Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, but spent most of her childhood raised in Spring, Texas. Biles attended Benfer Elementary School in Harris County, Texas, before she switched from public school to homeschooling in 2012, allowing her to focus on her gymnastics training.
Biles initially committed to UCLA before ultimately deciding to forgo college. She announced that she would turn professional and forfeit her NCAA eligibility.
Simone Biles was on fire at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. 🔥
Cannot wait to see what she achieves at Paris 2024! 🌟#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/qn2orWrc3c
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) July 8, 2024
In 2016, Biles won individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor competitions, bronze on the balance beam, and gold as part of the United States team. In 2020, she had to withdraw from several competitions due to the “twisties,” but she still managed to win a silver medal in her team competition and a bronze medal on the balance beam.
She holds the record for most World Championship medals in gymnastics and most U.S. Gymnastics titles. In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an accomplishment that shows her impact not only in sports but also in the lives of the people around her.
Most recently, with the world watching, Biles won Gold in both the all-around and team events at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and will be competing in the individual events as well, looking to take home a three-pack of gold medals.
Greatest of all time. 🐐@Simone_Biles breaks a 120-year-old record to become the only U.S. gymnast to win six Olympic gold medals.#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/7Gg3r6aavx
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 1, 2024
Biles’ incredible success has turned her into a household name, and she has a ton of endorsement deals with brands such as Uber Eats, SK-II, Visa, GK Elite, Athleta, and United Airlines.
She’s one of the most accomplished athletes of all time and arguably the greatest Olympic athlete to ever compete. While she is only just 27 years old, she still has time to rack up even more medals and records before her career is over.
Who Is Jonathan Owens?
Owens may not be a household name like his wife, but he has carved out an impressive career for himself since entering the NFL in 2018.
After starring at Christian Brothers College High School in Missouri, Owens played college football at Missouri Western State University from 2013 to 2017. As a senior, the defensive back earned MWSU Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors and was selected to the Second-Team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Owens majored in pre-physical therapy and hopes to become a doctor someday.
Owens went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, but the Arizona Cardinals signed him after the conclusion, giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot. After stints with the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, Owens signed a two-year contract with the Bears on March 13, 2024.
He is one of just nine players from MWSU to make it to the NFL.
Through his five NFL seasons, Owens has appeared in 48 games and totaled 227 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and one forced fumble.
How Did the Couple Meet?
The couple met in March 2020 on the dating app Raya, which connects celebrities. Biles initially reached out, and it was her courtship of Owens that kicked off the relationship.
“I saw him, and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s pretty cute,’ so I said hi, and then I saw that he was in the Houston area,” she told Wall Street Journal Magazine. “So we started chatting a little bit, and then we went to hang out a week or two later.”
“I didn’t know who she was,” Owens told Texas Monthly in 2021. “I just hadn’t heard of her, and when I told her that, that’s one of the things she liked.”
Jonathan Owens LOVED Simone Biles' vault performance. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QKRh2VpZX6
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) May 19, 2024
The couple spent a lot of time together during the pandemic, becoming very close.
“It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off, and she couldn’t do anything,” Owens explained. “So we used it to get to know each other. Really get to know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger. Now, I’m so thankful.”
The two got engaged in February of 2022, and a little over a year later, they tied the knot and got married on April 22, 2023.
THE future Owens 🤍 pic.twitter.com/833IaubRRP
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) November 21, 2022
Biles has been seen on more than one occasion supporting her man in the stands while wearing his jersey and has made it clear that supporting one another is a crucial part of their relationship.
Owens is also very supportive. In fact, he’ll be in the stands rooting on his wife during the Paris Olympics, as the Bears gave him permission to miss several days of training camp to attend Biles’ events and cheer her on in person.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens’ support for each other is beautiful to see. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KmmvIdGQ2R
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 1, 2024
“It was something me and my agent talked about when we went in and I signed with the team,” Owens said via The Associated Press. “It was all respectful. We went to them and just asked, ‘We would really appreciate it if he could go and support his wife,’ and they were really cool about it. First-class organization.
“I just want to thank them so much for allowing me to go over and do that. I can’t wait to be able to support her, and I know my family and my wife, she really appreciates it.”
Witnessing history ❤️
(via @jjowens_3) pic.twitter.com/4E8hkAqIfq
— NFL (@NFL) July 31, 2024
After watching Biles medal in Paris, Owens posted: “Witnessing history every time you step on the mat. 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.”
Owens also shared this sweet quote about supporting Biles: “Words can’t even describe it. I just think about, ‘How did I get so lucky that this is my wife and I get to see her, someone that’s literally at the pinnacle of their sport, and I get to call this my wife?’ It’s amazing. There’s no words to really describe it. Just blessed.”
Biles and Owens are adorable together, and it’s safe to say they’re a power couple, with both thriving in their respective sports. As Bile continues to dominate her field, Owens is by her side every step of the way, cheering her on—just like she does for him on Sundays in the Fall.