Before the Chicago Bears geared up for a high-stakes wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Jonathan Owens took a moment to acknowledge the person who’s been right there with him all season: his wife, Simone Biles.
Biles, an 11-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time, has been a familiar presence at Bears games throughout the year. While she briefly stepped into a more official role during Chicago’s Week 17 road trip to San Francisco — where she was credentialed as a sideline photographer — Owens confirmed that her playoff role will be much simpler.
“She’ll be on the field pregame,” Owens told the Chicago Tribune, before adding that she’ll be watching from the stands during Saturday’s game. “Nah, she’ll just be a spectator (for) this game.”
That doesn’t make her support any less meaningful. Owens made it clear that having Simone Biles at every game has been a huge source of motivation during one of the most memorable seasons of his career.
“She’s been at every game, which I love my wife for that, man,” Owens said. “She’s making big sacrifices.”
The couple married in April 2023, followed by a larger ceremony in May. Since then, Owens’ NFL journey has continued to evolve. After a season with the Packers, he signed with the Bears in March 2024 and has spent the last two seasons in Chicago .
Owens reflected on the ups and downs that have shaped his perspective, referencing previous stops with the Cardinals and Texans. “It’s been a roller coaster of a career, wins-wise,” he said. “So just realizing how special this season is… it doesn’t happen often.”
When asked about standout moments from the year, Owens pointed to the season opener, when he stopped Vikings tight end Josh Oliver short on a failed two-point conversion. “That was a pretty cool moment,” he said, noting how his teammates rallied around him afterward.
Another favorite memory came on the road in Las Vegas, when Josh Blackwell’s blocked field goal sealed a Bears win. “My wife was there… just jumping up and down,” Owens recalled. “To pull out a game like that, it just propels us to where we are now.”