Just months ago, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens were stealing hearts on the NFL sidelines with their viral pre-game handshakes and loving displays. Now, the Olympic gymnastics icon finds herself at the center of unexpected fan backlash.
On December 16, Biles lit up the NFL world with a heartwarming sideline moment ahead of a Chicago Bears game, sharing kisses and a now-famous handshake with her husband, Bears safety Jonathan Owens.
SportsCenter’s clip of the interaction went viral, and Biles was praised as the ultimate NFL WAG-so much so that fans dubbed her and Owens the “real MVP couple,” even over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
But fast forward eight months to the Bears’ Family Fest practice on August 3, and the tone has taken a shocking turn. While Owens once again ran to greet Biles before the game, and the Bears’ official account posted a sweet video of the reunion, this time the internet wasn’t feeling the love.
Internet users turned their backs on Biles
Instead of praise, the comments section turned sour. Fans took direct shots at Simone Biles, with one calling her “overrated as a human being” and another asking, “She hasn’t been fully canceled yet?” The same woman who once represented the gold standard of sideline support is now being met with hostility, sarcasm, and indifference.
Some critics accused Biles of stealing attention, while others threw passive-aggressive shade over her lack of Bears gear. “She’s not even a real fan,” one commenter joked, pointing out her absence of team colors or memorabilia.
