Simone Biles Met Her NFL Husband On Raya—And He Didn't Know Who She Was
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If there's one thing about Simone Biles, she fully commits to everything she does. In addition to her impressive collection of Olympic medals (which includes four gold ones...NBD), the gymnast is currently turning her Instagram into a dream board for the ideal relationship with her husband, Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens.
Even if you're not super familiar with Simone's other half, it still may come as no surprise that she's married to another professional athlete. Jonathan started playing high school football in Missouri, then played college ball at Missouri Western State University. He began playing for the NFL in 2018 with the Arizona Cardinals, before joining the Houston Texans practice squad in 2019. He officially signed with the team in 2020. A few years later, he became a free agent and signed with the Packers in May 2023, according to his official player bio.
This big career move came just a month after Simone and Jonathan got married (in their first wedding ceremony—more on that in a sec). The newlyweds have sweetly supported each other in public and private for years now.
Of course, this couple def isn't social media shy. Case in point: Simone lists that she's Jonathan's wife above anything else in her Instagram bio. Throughout their relationship, they have been supplying their Instagram followers with regular #CoupleGoals posts and glimpses into their enviable relationship. They share everything from Valentine's Day posts to life updates.
Despite all the Insta-cuteness, Simone and Jonathan's relationship goes way beyond the grid. If this is all starting to sound like a modern-day fairytale, *spoiler alert* it might just be. Here's everything to know about the couple throughout the years:
December 2019: The couple crossed paths for the first time.
You know those stories the best couples have about their lives crossing paths before actually meeting? Something about the planets and the fates. Simone and Jonathan have one of those.
In January 2022, Simone posted photos of herself at a Texans game from 2019, and Jonathan was coincidentally featured in the background, per The New York Post.
"Okay how CRAZY is this photo. December 2019. Texans had me for homefield advantage & I lead the team out of the tunnel… but look whose behind me ……" Simone wrote in an Instagram story, per The New York Post, and drew an arrow pointing to Jonathan in the background. Talk about fate.
March 2020: Jonathan and Simone started hanging out.
Yup, this is a quarantine couple, folks! Although their paths crossed before, the couple didn't officially meet until March 2020, when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 Toyko Olympics and Jonathan’s NFL training for the upcoming season. As fate would have it, the two extremely busy athletes found themselves with more time to focus on their lives outside the gym, per Texas Monthly.
Theirs started as a great romance does these days: The couple actually matched on the dating app, Raya. However, Jonathan admitted he "didn't know who she was," he told co-host Channing Crowder on an episode of The Pivot.
"I'm like, 'Lemme see who this is.' I never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity," he explained. He found her Instagram account, which was the first thing he saw, he said he thought,"'Okay, she's gotta be good."
He shared on the podcast that "When she won the Olympics, I was in college and we didn't have NBC, we didn't have Olympics channels, and we were in training camp in late July early August." So yeah, he didn't really know that Simone was a BFD. (I guess he doesn't eat Wheaties.)
Simone didn't mind this, though. In fact, Jonathan told Texas Monthly "that’s one of the things she liked."
Simone was intrigued right away. "I saw him and I was like, 'Oh, he’s pretty cute,' so I said hi..." she told the Wall Street Journal Magazine. "And then I saw that he was in the Houston area, so we started chatting a little bit, and then we went to hang out a week or two later."
The two started flirting and FaceTiming from there, until Simone’s younger sister Adria grabbed her phone during one of their conversations and asked Jonathan if he wanted to come on an upcoming trip to a lake house. Their relationship truly blossomed as the world shut down.
"It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off and she couldn’t do anything," Jonathan told Texas Monthly. "So we used it to get to know each other—really get to know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger. Now I’m so thankful."
August 2020: The couple made their Instagram debut.
Simone and Jonathan first piqued the Internet’s interest when she shared a since-deleted birthday message for Jonathan in 2o2o, alongside a photo of him giving her a piggyback ride in July.
A few weeks later though, the two confirmed their relationship with a photo Simone posted with the caption, "It’s just us."
October 2020: Simone first posted about attending Jonathan’s football games.
With the 2020 NFL pre-season starting a few days after Simone and Jonathan became Instagram official, it’s probably safe to assume that Simone attended other Texans games before the one she posted about in October. But, rocking Jonathan’s jersey, Simone showed up ready to cheer loudly for her man—even if COVID-19 restrictions meant the stadium was mostly empty.
Now, the Olympic athlete seems to be one of his biggest cheerleaders, referring to his game day as her "favorite" day in her Instagram captions. In September 2022, she shared a photo ahead of a Texans game, wearing his number on her shirt:
Now, it's become a regular thing:
December 2020: The two spent their first Christmas together.
Wearing matching pajamas and grins from ear to ear, the couple’s first holiday season together seems to have been a merry one. "If Santa asks, the elves did it!" Simone captioned a photo of the two of them in front of a Christmas tree.
It seems they've spent the holiday together ever since. Just look at this adorable photo from last Christmas:
A couple that wears matching pajama sets together, stays together.
January 2021: Simone shared how much they support each other's careers.
Simone commented on the success of their relationship, specifically noting how supportive she and Jonathan are of each other.
"He’s a real man. I just, I love him," Simone told Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show in January 2021. "We have a great time together. Our personalities match right up. We have the same sense of humor. And he’s just great. He’s an athlete, too, so we really understand each other, and I think that’s why our relationship has been seamless."
"This was a match made in heaven," Jonathan told Texas Monthly. "There’s no better person for me. She loves me, she’s so affectionate. I just love that. And it’s just intoxicating seeing how much work she puts into everything."
March 2021: The couple vacationed in style in Belize.
Before Simone had to get down to business (a.k.a. training for the Olympics), the couple enjoyed a vacation to Belize and some time soaking up the sun together. "I love you more than I love Belize and that's a lot," the gymnast captioned a photo of the two of them on the beach.
June 2021: Jonathan watched Simone compete in person for the first time.
While he had seen Simone compete before, Jonathan said being able to attend the 2021 U.S. National Gymnastics Championships in person—and watch her land her seventh U.S. title—was unlike anything he'd ever seen before.
"Unbelievable," Jonathan told Texas Monthly. "It’s so amazing to watch. When I saw her for the first time, I realized that the TV really doesn’t do it justice. When she goes out there and does it, it looks so effortless."
July 2021: Jonathan cheered on Simone during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
While COVID-19 restrictions at the Olympics meant he couldn't be there in person, Jonathan shared a video via Instagram Stories of him watching Simone compete at the gymnastics qualifier with a timestamp of 1:13 a.m. (The GOAT is worth staying up late for.)
"Yep, let’s go," he says in the video as Simone walks across the screen in her Team USA uniform.
Even with all of the stress competing at the highest possible level brings, Simone also made it a point to wish Jonathan a happy birthday in a sweet Instagram post (even dropping the L bomb). "Here in Japan it is already my favorite persons birthday 🖤 HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY BABE. @jowens_3 I love you so much. Can’t wait to celebrate you when I get home!" she wrote. "thanks for keeping me sane during the craziest times. an ear to vent too, someone to share fun times with and make the best of memories 🖤 not sure how I got so lucky & what I’d do without you! But I hope you have the best day ever. Not too much fun without me tho hahaha 🥺🤞🏾🤍 forever yours, S."
Though Simone withdrew from several competitions at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health and safety, including the individual all-around competition, you can bet Jonathan was still cheering her on.
February 2022: Simone and Jonathan got engaged.
Jonathan popped the question in February 2022. Simone revealed the happy news on Instagram, along with a close-up video of her gorgeous ring:
And, fellow Olympians filled the gymnast's comments with congratulations: "SOOOOOO FREAKING HAPPPY" and "❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️," wrote former gymnast and commentator Nastia Liukin. Meanwhile, Simone's Tokyo 2020 teammate Sunisa Lee added, "OH MY GOSSSSHHHH" "STOP IT RN" "IM SCREAMING IM SO HAPPY 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️."
July 2022: Jonathan was in the audience when Simone received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Jonathan accompanied Simone as she received The Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2022.
Simone was awarded the medal by President Joe Biden himself. Her efforts in raising awareness for sexual assault survivors and opening up discussions focused on busting the stigmas surrounding mental health earned her this title. It is the highest civilian award.
Of course, Jonathan was beyond proud to stand next to his fiancé and winner!
“Words can’t explain how proud i am of you, this has been such a surreal experience to watch you receive your Presidential Medal of Freedom, and be the youngest to ever receive one at that!,” he wrote on Instagram. “You motivate me more everyday to be the best version of myself. Such a inspiration, i love you so much babe ❤️.”
Early 2023: The couple went into full wedding planning mode.
In February 2023, Simone had her bachelorette party, and posted all about it on Instagram. It seems to have been a weekend in Belize (it really is her favorite place). Simone's group was hosted by Alaia Belize, per her Instagram.
Simone and Jonathan also practiced their cake-cutting skills for their wedding day:
In April 2023, Simone shared pictures of her beautiful bridal shower. "On Cloud 9 BRIDAL SHOWER ☁️💙🕊," she wrote in her caption. "Feeling so loved & blessed."
The post included photos of Simone's grandmother and adoptive mother, Nellie Biles, her sister Adria, and a baby (who might be her brother, Ron Biles II's daughter, and Simone's niece).
March 2023: The couple broke ground on a house.
The couple currently lives in Houston, Texas together, and Simone shared that they broke ground on a house at the beginning of March 2023.
"A home is made with love & dreams," Simone wrote in her caption. What's a dream couple without a dream house to match?
April 22, 2023: Simone and Jonathan got married.
In late April, Simone let the world in on a little secret: She and Jonathan got married in a courthouse wedding in Texas. "I do 🤍 officially owens 🤍," she captioned an Instagram photo dump. (Jonathan also shared pics from the event.)
Simone wore a tiered halter dress for the big day, while Jonathan rocked a tan suit, and both newlyweds were straight-up glowing.
May 6, 2023: The couple got married again(!).
Turns out, Simone and Jonathan's courthouse wedding was just so they could be legally married before their destination wedding. That was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Simone did an interview with Vogue about her big day, noting that she wore four different outfits. “I went with my gut feeling and what I felt the most beautiful in,” Simone said of her dress. “I actually got a dress that I originally said I wouldn’t like.”
While Simone said she was nervous the entire day leading up to the ceremony, she just focused on her husband when it came time to walk down the aisle. “Jonathan and I just tuned into each other and blocked everyone out,” she said. “I fell in love with him all over.”
Simone shared photos from the event on Instagram, including the sweetest shot of Jonathan crying as she walked down the aisle:
September 2023: Simone shared construction updates on their dream home.
Simone is all about sharing updates on her house construction with fans, and the feeling is mutual. Check out this update:
December 2023: Jonathan and Simone appeared on 'The Pivot' podcast
On December 20, the duo appeared on an episode of The Pivot podcast. The hosts asked Jonathan questions like how he "pulled" Simone, how he didn't know who she was, and about their married life.
The Pivot posted a quick clip from the podcast on their Instagram.
"You know how it goes with us. @realrclark was on his Oprah together, & of course @channingcrowder had to ask… How’d you pull @simonebiles?”
@jowens was a young bachelor in H-Town, new to dating apps, & he had a perfect match with some young lady named Simone. The story goes… Shoot, why not let them tell it. Trust me, it’s not who you think that shot their shot first. Streaming now on all platforms🎬," the caption read.
Jonathan quickly began receiving some backlash over his comments about not knowing who Simone was when they first matched on Raya. He also got flack for responding to a question about whether he sees himself as "the catch" in their marriage by saying, "I always say that the men are the catch."
"So she really booked you?" host Ryan Clark asked. Jonathan responded, "She did, though! Because I was fighting it," he explained, adding that he was "afraid to commit" but admitted "it happens when you least expect it."
Fans went on social media and let Jonathan know they weren't too pleased with what he said in the podcast. They also shared that Simone "deserves better."
On Thursday despite the negativity, Jonathan posted a series of pictures of the couple, including some from their wedding. He wrote, "Unbothered 😂❤️ Just know we locked in over here 🤞🏽"
Simone followed suit, posting a wedding pic with the caption, "mood."
It looks like their marriage is stronger than ever!
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