Simone Biles’ Husband Says She’s the Better Athlete in the Relationship: ‘I’m Not Doing No Backflips’

Biles' husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, immediately pointed to his Olympian wife when the question came up on the red carpet

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens attend a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center on January 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles. Photo:

Carmen Mandato/Getty

In a double athlete household, Jonathan Owens declares Simone Biles the winner!

While on the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year red carpet earlier this month, the couple answered a series of rapid fire questions — and when it comes to whose the best athlete among the two stars, Owens, 29, said his wife easily comes out on top.

The Chicago Bears safety quickly pointed at the 7-time Olympic gold medalist when asked who among them is the better athlete, adding, “I’m not doing no backflips. Nah,” as both of them burst into laughter.

When it comes to who is the better cheerleader, SI's next question, Biles immediately pointed to her husband.

"Jonathan, he knows more and he really pays attention," she said, before explaining her less-than-attentive football-watching habits. "After the first half, I lose track of the game."

"She'll hear everybody else yelling and she'll be like, 'What happened,' " Owens joked, while spinning his head around. "But you know, it's the thought that counts, I love it."

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Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens pose for a photo during the first half between the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the United Center on November 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens.

Michael Reaves/Getty

Back in 2023, Owens was the center of intense online backlash when he said that he didn’t know who Biles was when they met and that he considered himself “the catch” in the relationship — and last spring, the Olympian admitted the backlash crushed her.

Safety Jonathan Owens #36 of the Chicago Bears interacts with his wife American gymnast Simone Biles on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, at Lambeau Field on January 5, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles.

Todd Rosenberg/Getty

During an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast on April 16, Biles said that Owens’ comments were misconstrued. 

"He never said I wasn't a catch," Biles clarified. "He said he was a catch because he is. I've never met a man like him. A lot of people that meet him are like, oh my gosh. I want a man like that, like Jonathan."

Revealing that initially she found a bit of humor in the online response, she said that it ultimately hurt her feelings.

"I thought it was hilarious what people were saying divorce him, divorce him. All of this crazy stuff. And, like, he doesn't even like to say divorce. So I thought it was hilarious at first, and then they hurt my feelings," she said.

Biles, continued, adding, "Then, like, one night, I broke down, and I'm like, 'Why are you guys talking about my husband like this?'"

The couple have supported each other continuously in each other’s sport, with Owens showing up for Biles, 27, during her Gold Over America Tour and traveling to Paris to be with her at last summer’s Olympics. 

Jonathan Owens #36 of the Chicago Bears and Simone Biles greet each other before the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on November 10, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles.

Michael Reaves/Getty

As for Biles, she has seamlessly transitioned to a WAG, showing up and cheering on Owens in the stands during game days.

While she's enjoying that lifestyle now, Owens previously told PEOPLE that he knew she would always go back for a third shot at the Olympics.

"I knew once she made that decision that she was going to go back," Owens told PEOPLE in August. "I'm confident in her ability. Obviously you still have to go out there and do it, but I was confident that she would."

"It was an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm just so thankful I was able to go and just witness her continue to make history," Owens said of witnessing Biles in action. "I'm just so proud."

And "as the world saw, man, she didn't disappoint."

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