It is a Tuesday in January 2026, and the Chicago wind is whipping off Lake Michigan with a cruelty only locals truly understand. Inside a packed Soldier Field, the atmosphere is a little different. It’s the NFC Wild Card round. The Chicago Bears just edged out the Green Bay Packers in a nail-biter, and right there on the sidelines, the most decorated gymnast in history is currently losing her mind with joy.
Simone Biles isn’t there for the gold medals or the triple-twisting double tucks this time. She’s there for #36.
Since they first swapped "Hey" on a dating app back in 2020, the world has been obsessed with Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens. But if you’ve only followed the headlines, you’ve probably missed the real story. People love to talk about the "he’s the catch" controversy or the height difference, but the actual day-to-day reality of this couple is way more grounded—and honestly, way more complicated—than a 15-second TikTok clip suggests.
The Raya Match That Actually Worked
Let’s be real: most people on Raya are just looking for a cool story to tell at brunch. In March 2020, Simone was just coming off a breakup and decided to give the app a shot. She saw Jonathan, thought he was "pretty cute," and sent the first message.
Here is the thing that still blows people’s minds: Jonathan didn't really know who she was.
He was a safety for the Houston Texans at the time, deep in the grind of trying to make a roster. When he saw her profile, he noticed the followers, but the name didn't immediately click. "I'm like, 'Okay, she's got to be good,'" he famously joked later. It sounds crazy to us—how do you not know the GOAT?—but if you’re a professional athlete, you’re often living in a very specific bubble.
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Then the world shut down.
The pandemic was a disaster for most things, but for Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens, it was a weird kind of blessing. They couldn't go to fancy dinners. They couldn't do red carpets. They basically just hung out at his place in Houston, talked, and realized they actually liked each other without the noise of their fame.
Moving into the "Dream House" and the Windy City Life
Fast forward to late 2025. After five years of permits, HOA headaches, and construction delays that Simone regularly vented about on Instagram, they finally finished their custom-built lakefront mansion in Spring, Texas. They moved in on November 11, 2025, celebrating with a classic move-in meal: pizza on the floor.
But life is never that simple for two pro athletes.
While that Texas house is the home base, they’ve spent the bulk of the 2025-26 season in Chicago. Jonathan signed a two-year deal with the Bears in 2024, and Simone has fully embraced the "Midwest Girl" aesthetic. You've probably seen her in the custom leather-and-fur coats or the bright orange pants with "OWENS" stitched down the leg.
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She isn't just a spectator, though. In December 2025, she showed up to a game against the 49ers with a Sony Alpha 7II camera in hand. The NFL actually shared her photos, calling her "Sideline Simone." It’s kinda cool to see someone who has spent her whole life in the frame finally taking control of the lens.
Why the "Catch" Comments Still Sting
We have to talk about the podcast. You know the one.
In late 2023, Jonathan went on The Pivot and said he was "the catch" in the relationship. The internet collectively lost its mind. People were telling Simone to divorce him, calling him a "red flag," and accusing him of being threatened by her success.
Honestly? Simone thought it was hilarious.
She’s been very vocal about how people misconstrued a lighthearted joke between two incredibly competitive people. She told The Associated Press that people were being "blatantly disrespectful" to her marriage. If you watch them together—like when he picked her up and spun her around on the field after the Bears/49ers game—it’s pretty obvious they have a dynamic that works for them.
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Supporting the Grind (Both Ways)
People often forget that being an NFL safety who was undrafted out of a D2 school (Missouri Western State) is a massive achievement. Jonathan has played for the Cardinals, Texans, Packers, and now the Bears. He’s a "grinder" in the truest sense of the word.
Simone has often said that his work ethic inspired her during her own mental health journey. When she had the "twisties" in Tokyo, he was her rock. Conversely, when he was negotiating his contract with the Bears in 2024, he actually built in a clause that allowed him to go to Paris to watch her compete in the Olympics.
Think about that. A professional football player negotiated "time off" from training camp to go be a fan for his wife. That’s not "bare minimum" behavior; that’s a partnership.
What’s Next for the Owens Family?
As we head deeper into 2026, the big question is: what now?
- The NFL Future: Jonathan is under contract with the Bears through the 2025 season (which ends in early 2026). Given his solid play this year—including that massive win over the Packers—a contract extension in Chicago is definitely on the table.
- Gymnastics? Simone hasn't officially retired. She’s 28 now, which is "old" in gymnastics terms but basically a teenager in the real world. She’s left the door open for LA 2028.
- The Texas Home: Now that the "lie" of the nine-month build is over and the house is done, they’ll likely spend their first full offseason together in Texas, finally enjoying that lake view.
Actionable Insights for Couples
What can we actually learn from Simone and Jonathan? It’s not about being a millionaire or a gold medalist.
- Protect your "Bubble": They survived the pandemic and the podcast drama by focusing on what happened inside their house, not what people were tweeting.
- Show up for the "Boring" stuff: Simone goes to the cold games in Chicago; Jonathan goes to the grueling training sessions. Support isn't just about the trophy ceremonies.
- Don't take the internet too seriously: If they had listened to social media, they would have broken up three years ago.
Whether they’re in a Houston courthouse or a Cabo beach wedding, these two seem to have figured out how to be stars individually and a team together. If you're following their journey, stop looking at the height difference and start looking at how they actually speak about each other’s work. That’s where the real gold is.