Simone Biles, the Olympic gold medalist, found herself in hot water with NFL fans after she was spotted wearing a Green Bay Packers jacket to a Chicago Bears game. Fans took to social media to express their outrage, calling her actions “ridiculously unaware of her surroundings” and even “insulting to her husband”, referencing the fierce rivalry between the two teams.
The jacket in question featured action shots of her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, along with the iconic green Packers logo on the shoulder pad. Owens, who previously played for the Packers before signing with the Bears, saw his wife’s sartorial choice become a point of contention among fans and spectators.
Social media users were quick to criticize Biles for her fashion faux pas, with one user emphasizing that she should “throw that jacket in the trash ASAP”. Despite some showing sympathy for her support of her husband, others pointed out the irony of her wearing a rival team’s gear at a Bears game.
In a TikTok video for the NFL, Biles addressed Chicago fans by pushing off the Packers jacket to reveal a black sleeveless romper underneath. She proclaimed her allegiance to the Bears, saying “What’s up, Chicago? Go Bears” into the camera, while NBC Sports dubbed her “The Bears’ newest fan”.
This isn’t the first time Biles has faced backlash for her public support of her husband. In a recent incident, she defended Owens for wearing her gold medals in a photo, clapping back at online critics and reminding them not to make assumptions about their relationship.
Simone Biles’ choice to wear a Green Bay Packers jacket to a Chicago Bears game sparked debate and criticism among fans and spectators. Despite her attempts to show support for her husband, her fashion choice inadvertently caused a stir. Moving forward, Biles may want to be more conscious of the messages her clothing sends in the context of sports rivalries.