Exclusive - Simone Biles talks NFL game day preps, the Chicago cold, and holidays
The 11-time Olympic medallist gave an interview to Olympics.com as she travelled to support NFL-playing husband Jonathan Owens just before Christmas.
Artistic Gymnastics
The holidays will look a little different for gymnastics superstar Simone Biles this year.
After taking three golds and a silver at Paris 2024 and completing a 10-week nationwide arena tour, the 11-time Olympic medallist has settled into a new life: balancing appearances and events with supporting her NFL-playing husband, Jonathan Owens.
Instead of her typical large family celebrations, Biles says the couple will have a quiet Christmas together in Chicago, where Owens plays for the Bears.
“Honestly, just the two of us. Nothing crazy. We're going on vacations next year, so we kind of didn't even do a Christmas this year,” she told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview on Sunday (22 December). “Honestly, just relaxing. And then, we have to come back downtown to report to the hotel. So, we'll be with the team.”
The 11-time Olympic medallist has been a consistent presence at Chicago games since completing her Gold Over America tour in early November, including Sunday's 34-17 defeat to the Detroit Lions.
There, she greeted Owens on the field for - what has now become routine - a good luck kiss before kick-off; then, she headed to her seat to enjoy the game alongside her mother, Nellie, and others.
Olympics.com caught up with the global superstar en route to Soldier Field to check in on game day traditions, life in Chicago, how she’ll celebrate the holiday season, and more.
Below is the transcript of that conversation, lightly edited for clarity.
Olympics.com: Alright... Simone Biles. Good to see you. How's it going?
Simone Biles: Good. How are you?
Olympics.com: I'm doing all right. Where are you headed today?
SB: Today, we are heading to the Chicago Bears football game.
Olympics.com: So, you ready for some game day questions?
SB: Yes. Ready for some game day questions!
Olympics.com: Let's do it. First off, I’ve got to know about the fit today.
SB: Yes. Okay. Today's fit is actually very simple, just because me and my friends' outfits didn't come in time. So, this is my back-up. I was actually supposed to wear it to a different game. We have the 36 (Owens' number), bucket hat, some boots, but it is freezing, so at least it works for game day.
Olympics.com: You've had some good fashion looks through the games. How do you put it together?
SB: Honestly, I reach out to some of the creators that make the apparel, and I have no ideas. I let them kind of freeball it, and I say, 'Surprise me.' And then that's how I piece them together.
Olympics.com: Do you have a favourite one so far?
SB: Yes. My favourite one so far is one that I haven't worn yet, and I'm wearing it to Thursday's game.
Olympics.com: Who's more nervous for game day, meet day? You or Jonathan?
SB: I would have to say Jonathan just because, although I'm nervous about his health and safety, it's his game. He knows it better.
Olympics.com: We saw how you and he interacted before a meet in your documentary. What's the interaction like between you guys on game day?
SB: Well, usually you're not allowed to be with him the night before, so we sleep separately in the hotel. And then after that, he usually comes up, gives me a kiss goodbye. So, it's very... He's so chill. He's relaxed. And that's also his personality. Not as stressed as me.
Olympics.com: You've talked about how supportive he's been and how much it meant to you. What is it like to be able to kind of repay that now?
SB: Oh, my gosh. It means the world to me. And I know it means so much to him for me to be able to go and support his games. For him, it means a lot for me to go on the sideline before because he says that's his pre-game routine. So he's always looking for me on the sideline to give him, like, good luck vibes and wishes. That's just his superstition.
Olympics.com: Who comes up with the handshake you guys have been doing pre-game?
SB: That's Jonathan. Jonathan thinks of all of the things: handshakes, pre-game rituals, what he needs to eat - all Jonathan.
Olympics.com: How much do you know about football?
SB: Well, I could probably explain it to a five-year-old. But if I'm explaining it to a 25-year-old, it might not make sense.
Olympics.com: Who knows more about the other’s sport, you or Jonathan?
SB: Jonathan. He knows so much about gymnastics.
Olympics.com: You mentioned it's freezing today. You're a Texas girl, you've been spending a lot of time in Chicago. How are you handling the winter?
SB: Honestly, not bad. Some days I feel like 30s and 40s (fahrenheit) feel colder than, like, 17. But as long as I'm bundling up, I feel like I've actually been pretty good.
Olympics.com: Chicago's a good food town. What's the best thing you've eaten here?
SB: Okay, we... I'm sorry, but we love Maple and Ash. We go there quite frequently, so I would say Maple and Ash.
Olympics.com: Jonathan has two games around Christmas, so how are you guys celebrating this year?
SB: Honestly, just the two of us. Nothing crazy. We're going on vacations next year, so we kind of didn't even do a Christmas this year. Honestly, just relaxing. And then we have to come back downtown to report to the hotel so we'll be with the team.
Olympics.com: What's the best gift you've ever gotten Jonathan?
SB: The best? I wouldn't even say the best gift I've ever gotten him, because obviously that’d be me. Okay. But I feel like his favourite, and one that he's been wanting for so long, was a Rolex.
Olympics.com: And what's the best gift he's gotten you?
SB: What's the best gift? Honestly, I'm not very materialistic. It's probably my weekly flowers. He buys me flowers every week, and that's my favourite.
Olympics.com: What's your favourite holiday song?
SB: I would say Justin Bieber's Christmas album.
Olympics.com: Favourite holiday movie?
SB: Oh, Home Alone.
Olympics.com: Also set in Chicago!
SB: Yes! It's in Chicago. The house is up for sale.
Olympics.com: You should get it.
SB: [Laughs]
Olympics.com: What's a normal day look like for you these days?
SB: Oh, goodness. It depends. If I'm travelling, doing events, or staying home. If I'm staying home with the dogs, I'm usually cleaning up around the house and then prepping food for when Jonathan gets out of practice. So, a very lazy day.
Olympics.com: What's your favourite thing about not having morning practice?
SB: Sleeping in.
Olympics.com: Compare gymnastics conditioning to your Pilates experience?
SB: Oh, I'd rather do ten presses every morning rather than go to a Pilates class. That stuff... I don't know how people do it. It's not easy. Don't sign me up.
Olympics.com: I know you were looking forward to time off after Paris, but is there something you miss about your routine?
SB: I feel like just the structure of having a daily routine because now some days I wake up and I feel a little bit lazy and lost. I feel like the structure is what I miss.
Olympics.com: What's your ideal way to ring in the New Year?
SB: Ring in the New Year... I feel like he plays shortly after. Honestly, we'll probably be in bed by 10:30. But Jonathan did promise to wake up at midnight so that we could kiss and then go back to sleep.
Olympics.com: What's your best memory of 2024?
SB: I think just being with family and friends after Paris and celebrating that.
Olympics.com: And do you have a New Year's Resolution?
SB: No, because I feel like you always break them. I don't have any.
Olympics.com: That's everything.
SB: Thank you.
Olympics.com: Thanks, Simone. Go Bears!
SB: Go Bears!