Jonathan Owens says criticism initially made him withdraw from public life, but Simone Biles helped him accept scrutiny and embrace attention surrounding their relationship.
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Jonathan Owens says fame was difficult at first
Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens is opening up about the unexpected pressures that came with dating and marrying Simone Biles, saying intense public criticism initially made him feel like “a shell of yourself.”
Owens, 31, discussed his NFL career, relationship with Biles and life in the spotlight in an interview with The Athletic. He said the attention was difficult because he has always considered himself a quiet and private person.
“It was tough at first because I’m a pretty quiet, private person,” Owens said.
“It almost makes you a shell of yourself, at first, because of all the criticism. They’ve got something to say about everything you do,” he added.
Owens met Biles on a dating app in 2020, and their relationship quickly attracted attention because of Biles’ status as the most decorated gymnast in Olympic history.
He said his wife helped him develop a different perspective on the criticism, particularly when people began commenting on virtually everything he did.
“She helped me get to a point of just [understanding] they’re going to talk s— either way it goes,” Owens said. “So you might as well live your life how you want to.”
‘Mr. Biles’ criticism became part of the spotlight
Owens recalled facing particularly intense scrutiny in 2023 after comments he made on The Pivot podcast. During the appearance, he described himself as “the catch” in their relationship and said he had not known who Biles was before they met.
Owens said the reaction to the interview was one of his first experiences with widespread online criticism.
“I didn’t have my notifications on, and Simone was like, ‘Have you been on your Instagram?’” he recalled.
“That was my first time of really, really being in the public eye and people trying to hate on you — ‘Oh, you’re Mr. Biles!’ — and stuff like that,” Owens said.
Rather than continuing to view the label negatively, Owens now says he considers being called “Mr. Biles” a sign of respect.
“You see who my wife is. Says a lot about me as well,” he said, adding that Biles choosing him as her partner reflects positively on who he is.
Owens says he has adjusted to fame
Owens said he has gradually become more comfortable with the level of attention surrounding his marriage and professional career.
“But that’s what comes with it. You take the good with the bad, and at the end of the day, I’m living my dream,” he said.
The NFL safety also reflected on the unusual experiences that have come with his growing profile, including attending major celebrity events.
Owens and Biles attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding in July. He said he remains surprised by the people he encounters and the rooms he finds himself in.
He specifically mentioned actor Tom Cruise, saying he was stunned that Cruise knew his name and was excited to meet him.
“I never would’ve thought as a sophomore in high school that this is what my life would be,” Owens said.
For Owens, the transition from a relatively private NFL player to the husband of one of the world’s most recognizable athletes has brought both criticism and opportunities. He now says he has learned to accept both sides of the attention.
Why it matters
Owens’ comments offer a look at the personal side of living alongside a globally recognized athlete. His experience also highlights how quickly social media criticism can intensify when a private relationship becomes a subject of public discussion.
