Simone Biles had a lot to celebrate over the weekend, capturing yet another win at the 2024 U.S. Classic, but the moment was quickly overshadowed by critics of her marriage to NFL star Jonathan Owens.
Biles has been dealing with trolls bashing her marriage ever since Owens shared on The Pivot podcast last year that he didn't know who Biles was when they first started dating.
He said at the time:
“I didn't know who she was at the time, but the first thing that I saw was that she had a bunch of followers, so in my mind, I’m like, ‘She gotta be good.'"
Owens continued, explaining how it was possible he didn't know about the most decorated gymnast in history.
“When she won the Olympics, I was in college. We didn't have NBC. We didn't have Olympic channels. And we're in [football] camp in late July, early August, so I'm not really paying attention. So, I never would've had a moment where I would have watched.”
He also said he thought he was "the catch" in the relationship.
“I always say we, the man, are the catch. I always say we the catch.”
And Biles has already spoken out about the impact of the ongoing criticism for that.
During a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, the seven-time Olympic medalist revealed the online comments about her husband eventually got to her.
What started as a running joke about her husband weighed heavily.
“I thought it was hilarious at first, and then they hurt my feelings."
“One night I broke down, and I’m like, ‘Why are you guys talking about my husband like this? You don’t know him. You don’t know who he is and if anybody’s met him, they know he’s the sweetest guy, and will do anything for anybody.'”
“That really hurt that they were talking about my husband like that. Because for me, it’s like, talk about me all you want, but don’t come for my family, never."
“You're not going to know I cried about it, but I be crying about some stuff. But I only cry about it because I can't clap back. Just know that."
But despite Biles' feelings, fans still proceeded to bash Owens over the weekend.
The gymnast took to Instagram following her win, sharing photos of the couple at the event and expressing her gratitude for his support.
She wrote in the caption:
"my whole heart 🤎🤞🏾 the best supporter, I couldn’t ask for a better husband"
Owens commented on the post:
"There with you every step of the way🤞🏽"
@simonebiles/Instagram
Sadly, however, it wasn't long before trolls infiltrated the comments.
@simonebiles/Instagram
@simonebiles/Instagram
@simonebiles/Instagram
@simonebiles/Instagram
@simonebiles/Instagram
But Biles wasn't standing for it.
She took to her Instagram stories to blast the haters, telling them exactly what they could do:
“I’m going to quickly address this, the joke was never a joke!"
"Y’all are blatantly being disrespectful to my relationship & my husband."
“So I’m gonna go ahead and say this one time. Respectfully, **** off."
"& if you keep commenting or tweeting at me I’m just going to block you. simple as that.”
She continued:
“And no I don’t need to touch grass or whatever tf y’all suggest."
Biles finished by expressing her love for the couple's supporters.
“Everyone else that supports us, we love y’all so much.”
@simonebiles/Instagram
People on social media applauded Biles for speaking out and agreed that the trolls need to back off.
Good for her!
Hopefully, people on social media will pay attention.
Otherwise, we see lots of blocking in the near future!
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram