Jonathan Owens is a new Chicago Bears safety, having spent four NFL seasons in Houston and one with rival Green Bay.
But he is best known for being the husband of Simone Biles, perhaps the greatest gymnast the U.S. has ever produced.
The Summer Olympics are approaching, and unfortunately, they coincide with Chicago’s training camp as the team prepares for what many believe could be a breakout year in 2024.
And though the NFL is certainly a business, considerations could and should be made for unique family situations such as that facing Owens and Biles.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Bears surprised many with a remarkably classy gesture.
The team is allowing Owens to leave Chicago’s training camp to support Biles in the upcoming Summer Olympic Games.
Bears are granting Jonathan Owens special permission to leave training camp to support his wife at the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/iRlqeR8Gu6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2024
The reaction to the move was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.
That’s awesome. Prioritizing family and support—props to the Bears!
— Joe Wonderland (@WonderlandJoe) July 3, 2024
Good on the Bears. Great decision.
— Jonathan Martin (@JonathanKMartin) July 3, 2024
Respect the bears for that
— Record Message (@recordmessage) July 3, 2024
That’s a W from the Bears
— A.R.T. (@AdrianRT09) July 3, 2024
Biles also took to social media to praise the Bears organization for allowing her husband to miss a couple of days of training camp to show solidarity with his world-famous wife.
Instead of sweating with his teammates, Owens will jet to Paris to cheer as Biles hopefully leads the U.S. to more Olympic glory as a gymnast.
As for the Bears, making this exception is a noteworthy gesture that shows the organization has the wellbeing and happiness of its players at the forefront.
After all, what are a couple of training camp days compared to the goodwill gained from Owens and his teammates who witnessed the classy move?
