Direct answer to the query
Simone Biles is married to former NFL safety Jonathan Owens. She is not currently married to, nor has she ever been married to, an active NFL player. The pairing is frequently misreported because both are high-profile Black athletes who have spoken publicly about marriage, mental health, and media portrayal. Below is a verified relationship timeline, context on their respective careers, and a comparison of common misconceptions.
Verified relationship timeline
Key dates and milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles meet via mutual friends | Foundation of their personal connection, before either achieved mainstream fame |
| April 2022 | Engagement | Publicly announced; both addressed past media inaccuracies about their lives |
| December 2022 | Marriage | Legal wedding; they emphasize a private ceremony with close family |
| 2023 2024 | Public interviews and advocacy | They discuss boundaries, media ethics, and supporting each other’s careers |
Jonathan Owens: background and career context
Jonathan Owens is a former American football safety. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and spent parts of seasons with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, primarily on practice squads. He never appeared in a regular-season NFL game, which is an important clarification given the question’s framing around "the NFL." His professional trajectory involved tryouts and practice squad stints rather than active roster time, consistent with many players who pursue NFL careers without long-term roster presence.
Simone Biles: career context and public narrative
Simone Biles is a decorated artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Her achievements span multiple Olympic Games and World Championships. Since entering the public eye, she has addressed topics including mental health, institutional support, and media representation. Her marriage to Jonathan Owens is one aspect of her broader public narrative around privacy, boundaries, and correcting misinformation.
Common points of confusion and fact check
Because both athletes are prominent, their union is sometimes mistakenly linked to active NFL franchises or mischaracterized as a high-profile NFL marriage. Neither currently holds an NFL roster spot, nor has Biles been affiliated with any NFL team as an employee or spokesperson in a way that would suggest a marital connection to the league via an active player.
- Jonathan Owens last participated in NFL-related activities during brief team visits and practice squads; he has not been on an active roster since around 2019.
- Simone Biles has no contractual or promotional relationship with any NFL organization.
- Media headlines sometimes conflate their identities, implying an NFL context that does not reflect Owens’s limited professional football tenure.
Relationship dynamics and public communication
Biles and Owens have used interviews to discuss how they navigate fame, protect their privacy, and correct the record when inaccuracies spread. They frame their partnership as grounded in shared experiences of intense public scrutiny and mutual support. Their communication strategy emphasizes clarity, boundaries with media, and redirecting focus to their respective professional crafts and personal wellbeing.
Comparison at a glance
| Aspect | Simone Biles | Jonathan Owens |
|---|---|---|
| Primary profession | Gymnast | Former football safety |
| NFL involvement | None | Practice squad only; no active NFL roster |
| Marriage status | Married to Jonathan Owens (2022) | Married to Simone Biles (2022) |
| Public narrative focus | Mental health advocacy, gymnastics excellence | Limited playing time, post-NFL career activities |
Takeaways
Simone Biles is married to Jonathan Owens, a former NFL safety with minimal playing time. She is not married to an active NFL player, nor does she have any professional ties to the league. Understanding their respective careers and the timeline of their relationship clarifies common misunderstandings. Their public discussions emphasize accuracy, boundaries, and supporting each other beyond headlines.