Is Jonathan Owens not keeping his word? It seems that way! While Simone Biles has been dazzling in her own right, her partner, Jonathan Owens, is making waves too. On Sunday, Owens made a big splash by recovering a blocked punt and running it back for a touchdown, giving the Chicago Bears their first score of the season.
This was only his second career touchdown—his first came from a fumble recovery with the Green Bay Packers last Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions that culminated in a 29-22 victory. This time, Owens’ play was a real game-changer. With the Bears down 17-3 at halftime, his third-quarter touchdown, after a block by Daniel Hardy, ignited a comeback. Owens sprinted 21 yards into the end zone, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 17-10 and giving the Bears a much-needed boost.
The Bears ultimately rallied to win 24-17. While the game ended on a high note, fans couldn’t help but remember Owens’ pre-game promise. He had previously stated that if he scored a touchdown, he would perform a flip and a salute in honor of his wife. Yet, when the moment came, the promised celebration never materialized.
Well, Jonathan Owens was supposed to do a special tribute for his wife, Simone Biles, if he nabbed an interception this NFL season. Owens married the seven-time Olympic gold medalist in 2023, when he was in Paris to cheer her on as she won three gold medals, including the individual all-around. He was planning a unique way to honor Biles on the field.
Back in August, in a clip from “Hard Knocks,” Owens discussed with defensive back Elijah Hicks, who challenged him to add a flip to his celebration after an interception. When Hicks insists, “You gotta do a flip and land it. How hard would that be? That’s hard.” Owens responds, “Imma salute with it though,” and mimics the iconic pose Biles struck during the floor final at the Olympics. While Owens didn’t manage the flip and salute, he’s been making his mark with the Bears this season, showcasing his flair and energy on the field.
Owens’ proud support for Simone Biles steals the spotlight
The Bears have been very supportive of Owens, allowing him to miss part of training camp so he could fly to Paris and cheer on Simone Biles at the Olympics. He arrived just in time to see Biles and the U.S. women win gold and was there two days later when she became the third woman to win two Olympic all-around titles. After returning to Chicago, Biles went on to secure gold on the vault and silver on the floor exercise, bringing her total Olympic medal count to 11.
Even Owens donned a shirt with his wife’s face and cheered from the stands, right next to Simone Biles’ parents. He even shared images of the stadium from his seat and even documented his support from home before the event. His Instagram featured clips of Biles in action, with captions like “flawless” and “no words” highlighting her performance.
His enthusiasm was palpable as he posted videos cheering her on and even shared a clip of Snoop Dogg sporting a T-shirt with his wife’s face. His final story celebrated Biles’ routine with an excited “Let’s go, baby!” Owens’ posts not only celebrated his wife’s incredible achievements but also showed just how proud and supportive he is.