"I just hadn’t heard of her"- When Simone Biles' husband Jonathan Owens claimed he didn't know her before they dated

By Zahid Rashid Dar

Modified Jul 31, 2024 17:37 GMT

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American gymnast Simone Biles and her husband Jonathan Owens started seeing each other in March 2020 after connecting on a dating app. Owens, who plays for the Chicago Bears in the NFL, was unaware of the Biles' popularity at the time. He didn't know much about gymnastics, assuming it was an easy sport.

By 2020, Biles was already one of the most successful gymnasts in the world, with four Olympic gold medals to her name. Along with multiple world titles, she was also named the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year in 2017 and 2019. But gymnastics isn't among America's top five popular sports, and when Biles slid into his DMs, Owens didn't know her.

"I didn’t know who she was, I just hadn’t heard of her, and when I told her that, that’s one of the things she liked," he told Texas Monthly in 2021.

After exchanging messages, they went on a date a few weeks later and began meeting regularly thereafter. The love was brewing between the two, along with a debate over which was harder; landing a Yurchenko double pike or playing safety in the NFL.

“It took me a while to come to grips with how hard her sport was,” Owens said. “When we were first together, I was like, `Man, you can’t come outside and guard these wide receivers. Gymnastics is not that hard.’”

Owens watched Biles compete in real-time at the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, where she won a record seventh title. When the Chicago Bears’ safety watched her, he was amazed.

“Unbelievable,” Owens expressed. “It’s so amazing to watch. When I saw her for the first time, I realized that the TV really doesn’t do it justice. When she goes out there and does it, it looks so effortless.”

Jonathan Owens will skip training to watch Simone Biles compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics live

Jonathan Owens will cheer for Simone Biles at Paris Olympics 2024 (IMAGE: GETTY)

Biles and Owens tied the knot in April 2023. While the athletes have contrasting schedules, both have been spotted supporting each other at their competitions regularly. After watching Biles compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials, the NFL Safety will now travel to support his wife in Paris.

The schedule of Paris Olympics 2024 coincides with a training camp of the Chicago Bears. Owens, however, will not miss Biles' events at the Games.

“The Bears are actually granting him a couple days off from training camp, so he'll be there,” the seven-time Olympic medalist said following trials. “Yes, for just a short little time.” (via People)

In a recent interview, Owens said he loved to be a ‘cheerleader’ for Biles and will be present at Paris Olympics 2024 to support her.