Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens is back from Paris, rejoining his teammates at training camp after his excused absence to witness Simone Biles, his wife and one of the greatest gymnasts ever, perform in the Games.
Owens said his experience at the 2024 Summer Olympics was “amazing” -- a word he also used to describe his legendary wife.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she? I'm over the moon,” he said during a Tuesday appearance on NFL Network's Inside Training Camp Live. “I was just excited that I was able to sit there and I was able to witness it and experience the energy, the culture and just watch everyone react to her."
Biles was dominant in Paris, leading the U.S. women's gymnastics team to gold in the team event, while also taking gold in the all-around and the vault finals. Biles also claimed silver in the floor exercise final.
She now has 11 individual medals, including seven golds, in his Olympic career.
“My wife’s a warrior,” Owens told reporters on Tuesday.
Owens was “overjoyed” for Biles and impressed with her resilience after she pulled out of the Tokyo Games in 2021. Biles also reportedly competed through a calf injury and was seen wearing a walking boot after her final events in Paris.
“When she did decide to come back, she accomplished everything she set her mind to,” Owens said, per WGN TV.
NFL Network’s Stacey Dales asked Owens the obvious question: Was he nervous watching from the stands?
"Absolutely,” he said. “Did you see me?"
Owens kept busy in Paris, and not just by watching his wife perform. One of his biggest pastimes at this year’s Games was taking part in the pin-trading tradition, where athletes, celebrities and other spectators swap Olympic pins with competitors from around the world. Owens showed off the collection he returned with to the U.S.
Asked which pin he received was his favorite, Owens gave the only appropriate answer: Biles'.
Owens left Bears camp July 29 and missed one regular practice, a walkthrough and the Bears’ Hall of Fame Game against the Texans last week. But Owens was able to keep working during his trip and watched video of all the team meetings.
He can now turn his attention back to making the Bears’ 53-man roster for the upcoming season, and he’ll do so with a little more hardware for the family mantle.