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:
âI 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, Iâm like, âShe gotta be good.'"
Owens continued, explaining how it was possible he didn't know about the most decorated gymnast in history.
âWhen 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.â
He also said he thought he was "the catch" in the relationship.
âI always say we, the man, are the catch. I always say we the catch.â
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.
âI thought it was hilarious at first, and then they hurt my feelings."
âOne night I broke down, and Iâm like, âWhy are you guys talking about my husband like this? You donât know him. You donât know who he is and if anybodyâs met him, they know heâs the sweetest guy, and will do anything for anybody.'â
âThat really hurt that they were talking about my husband like that. Because for me, itâs like, talk about me all you want, but donât come for my family, never."
âYou'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 đ€đ€đŸ the best supporter, I couldnât ask for a better husband"
Owens commented on the post:
"There with you every step of the wayđ€đœ"
@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:
âIâm going to quickly address this, the joke was never a joke!"
"Yâall are blatantly being disrespectful to my relationship & my husband."
âSo Iâm gonna go ahead and say this one time. Respectfully, **** off."
"& if you keep commenting or tweeting at me Iâm just going to block you. simple as that.â
She continued:
âAnd no I donât need to touch grass or whatever tf yâall suggest."
Biles finished by expressing her love for the couple's supporters.
âEveryone else that supports us, we love yâall so much.â
@simonebiles/Instagram
People on social media applauded Biles for speaking out and agreed that the trolls need to back off.
Thatâs a real one!!Â
â đŠ Bird.ETH (@BIRDNFT) May 20, 2024
Good for her.Â
â Writer Grl đđșđž (@JustAWriter71) May 20, 2024
Solid woman right there đŻÂ
â RumboyzRobbie (@RumboyzR) May 20, 2024
Way to go, Simone !!! Perfect 10 response !Â
â Betsy Tarr (@Betsypaige24) May 20, 2024
#SimoneBiles is a true champion. I support them in this. https://t.co/rpLaZfijH5Â
â Independent Conservative (@scojocentex) May 20, 2024
Good for her and might I say itâs about darn timeđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸđđŸÂ
â Stayfocus (@Michell57946978) May 21, 2024
Wish all the trolls would leave @Simone_Biles & her husband alone. WTF is wrong with people. The girl is training 4 the Olympics due in a couple of months, and you are all trying to unbalance her so she can fail.đ€Ź Just bc you have an opinion & keyboard, don't give you the right.Â
â Raquel (@RaquelRktgirl1) May 20, 2024
Queen!Â
â Billy D. (@4DTOUGH) May 21, 2024
Good for her. Leave peoples marriage alone.Â
â vernesa (@vernesa27292271) May 20, 2024
I stand with them. They're happy and in love, so leave them alone. It's a shame when messed up people try to mess up others. Instead, rejoice in the happiness of others.Â
â Lia (@TherealLiaHardy) May 20, 2024
Good for her!
Hopefully, people on social media will pay attention.
Otherwise, we see lots of blocking in the near future!