“My dad was shot and killed” - Simone Biles' husband Jonathan Owens opens up about heartbreaking tragedy that had a major impact on his career

By Riddhi Acharya

Modified Dec 01, 2024 03:01 GMT

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Simone Biles' husband Jonathan is currently plying his trade im the NFL for the Chicago Bears, having previously played for the Green Bay Packers. However, the American's journey to the top hasn't been easy, and he recently opened up about the tragedy that had a major impact on his career.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens first met in 2020, and have been together since. The duo got engaged in 2022, and got married the following year. They often share snaps of their life together with fans, and are vocal about the hardships they faced in their respective careers as athletes.

Recently, in an interview with Fox 32, Owens opened up about how making it to the NFL had always been the ultimate goal for him, and how his father's death influenced his dream, saying,

“NFL was always a dream but I had a tragedy. My dad was shot and killed in an armed robbery going into my senior year so it was just one of those moments for me where it just gave me a different boost of energy. Because now I'm like Ireally want to get my mom in a better situation, my family in a better situation and I went on to have the best year of my college career.”

Jonathan Owens went on to explain that while scouts soon took notice of him, he still had a difficult road ahead of him as he dealt with injury. The NFL safety emphasised that after all these years, it felt ‘pretty cool’ to have gained vet status in the league.

“Scouts took notice and I often tell people like it doesn't matter where you come from, if you're playing well and you're being productive they're going to find you. So, I was given that opportunity, (as a) free agent to go to Arizona. I actually tore my ACL my rookie year so that was like man I get out of here and I do that. I rehabbed all the way back and now I'm here, my seventh year in the NFL, so this is pretty cool you know, once you do get those years in and start to get experience and you get that vet status," he said.

Simone Biles attended some of Jonathan Owens’ NFL fixtures

Simone Biles attended ds the Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears game (Image Source: Getty)

Simone Biles has been in attendance at some of her husband Jonathan Owens' NFL fixtures for the Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old was present at the Bears vs Los Angeles Rams game in September, the Bears vs Minnesota Vikings game in November, as well as the team’s most recent outing against the Detroit Lions.

Biles had an impressive 2024 season, during which, she won four Olympic medals in Paris, three of which were gold. The 27-year-old won the all-around and vault events while also being a part of the American squad that won the team competition.

Before the NFL season began, Owens made sure to cheer for Simone Biles when she was competing, and was present in the audience of the US Core Hydration Classic, the US Championships, the US Olympic Trials, and the Paris Olympics to show his support.