Jonathan Owens, the NFL safety who recently signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Chicago Bears, has addressed the backlash he received for comments made about his now-wife, Simone Biles, during a podcast appearance six months ago. Biles, who is widely considered the greatest gymnast in American history, married Owens in April 2023.
In a podcast interview on “The Pivot,” Owens mentioned that he didn’t know who Biles was when they first connected on the dating app Raya and suggested that he was “the catch” in their relationship. These remarks sparked significant criticism online. On July 8, Owens publicly responded to the backlash for the first time.
“Our biggest thing is, we know that those people don’t know us at all,” Owens stated. “I can’t let someone else’s opinion dictate how I feel about myself or our relationship.”
Owens highlighted the importance of ignoring external noise and focusing on their personal lives. “Everyone has an opinion, but we do a good job of tuning it out,” he explained. “Sometimes, though, you need to set the record straight and let people know they’ve got it wrong.”
He expressed his frustration with the public scrutiny, saying, “It’s a no-win situation. Whether you speak up or stay silent, people will always have something to say. So, you have to live your life on your own terms.”
Owens was shocked by the amount of backlash
Owens, 28, was surprised by the volume of negative feedback following the podcast release. At the time, he chose to keep his social media notifications off.
“I was with my mom and Simone when the comments started rolling in,” he said. “I let them handle it while I stayed off social media. But if things get out of hand, that’s when I feel the need to step in and address it.”
Despite the criticism, Owens emphasized that he and Biles remain strong and united. “People don’t see the full picture of our relationship,” he said. “As long as we stay connected and our bond remains strong, nothing can break us.”
