Simone Biles And Jonathan Owens: A Supportive Love Story Ahead Of The Olympics

As Simone Biles nears her return to the pinnacle of gymnastics at the upcoming Summer Olympics, she can count on the support of her biggest fan: husband Jonathan Owens. Their relationship is a powerhouse of encouragement and mutual respect, demonstrating what it means to be partners in both love and sport.

In addition to being one of the most athletic couples ever—Owens is an NFL safety playing for the Chicago Bears—the pair are the definition of relationship goals. Biles has donned her beau’s jersey at football games, while Owens has attended all of her major meets leading into the Paris Games. “I know the routines. I’m getting the score down,” Owens told People of his gymnastics enthusiasm. “If I’m going to pay attention to it, I have to lock in. I’m going to go full in.”

But just like any other couple, 27-year-old Biles and 28-year-old Owens have had their share of ups and downs—with some fans unexpectedly questioning their relationship in recent months. Here’s everything you need to know about how they met, their 2023 wedding, and what their relationship is like today.

How Biles and Owens Met

Biles and Owens met shortly after the gymnast ended a three-year relationship in March 2020. The pair connected as many Millennials and Gen Zers often do: through a dating app. In this case, they matched on Raya, the membership-based app known to attract celebrity users.

Biles made the first move. “She messaged me on the app, like, ‘Hey,’ and I’m like, ‘That’s gotta be fake,’” Owens told Pivot Podcast in December 2023. “I didn’t know who she was at the time, but the first thing that I saw was that she just had a bunch of followers. So in my mind, I’m like, ‘OK, she’s got to be good.’”

Owens, who was still trying to establish himself with the NFL’s Houston Texans, invited Biles for a visit. She accepted, making a 45-minute commute from a city suburb a few days later. The pair immediately “hit it off” and “laughed the whole night,” according to Owens.

Building a Strong Relationship

Because the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and completely disrupted Biles’ training schedule, she and Owens were able to spend a lot of time together. “It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off, and she couldn’t do anything,” Owens told Texas Monthly. “So we used it to get to know each other—really get to know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger.”

After Biles took an extended hiatus from competition following the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, she and Owens continued to grow closer. They got engaged in February 2022. The couple officially married a year later in a courthouse ceremony on April 22, 2023, before holding a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on May 6.

However, their wedded bliss immediately hit a new obstacle. After a breakout season in which he started every game for the Texans the year prior, Owens signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers—meaning he would have to relocate to Wisconsin for his new job. Meanwhile, Biles stayed in Texas to ramp up training for her return to the mat at the U.S. Classic and U.S. Championships in August 2023.

Support Through Challenges

Despite the geographical distance, Biles expressed her thoughts on their situation, saying, “It’s been different. But at least we’re both busy focusing on our respective sports, so it’s been nice.” The two continued planning for their future as well, starting construction on a waterfront mansion in Texas for when they are back under the same roof.

Given their high-stakes professions, it’s not surprising that Biles and Owens have a competitive streak even when they aren’t working. Biles revealed on Peacock’s 2023 Back That Year Up that she and Owens have had debates about which of their respective sports is more challenging, leading to lighthearted discussions about their athletic pursuits.

Defending Each Other

While Biles and Owens can ultimately make light of their disagreements, they have also defended each other following criticism of their relationship. During his appearance on Pivot Podcast, Owens joked about being “the catch” in their relationship, which sparked backlash from some fans who felt he had devalued Biles’ achievements.

Despite the negativity, Biles stood by Owens, stating, “He’s the sweetest. He praises the ground that I walk on. Truly, I’ve never met a man like him.” This demonstrates their commitment to each other and their ability to withstand external pressures.

Owens' Commitment to Biles

Just as she has cheered him on at NFL games, Owens has encouraged Biles throughout the lead-up to the Olympics, saying he has yet to miss any of her competitions in 2024. “I definitely will say I’m a gymnastics guy now,” he told Us Weekly. Owens is expected to attend at least part of Biles’ schedule at the upcoming Summer Games in Paris.

As the Olympic opening ceremony approaches, it’s clear that Biles will lean on Owens for inspiration as she aims for her second all-around title. Their story is not just about sports; it’s about love, support, and facing challenges together. Biles and Owens exemplify what it means to truly be partners in every sense of the word.