Jonathan Owens has a good reason to miss training camp next week. The Chicago Bears safety will go to Paris as his wife, Simone Biles, competes in the Summer Olympics.
The Bears are excusing the safety’s camp absence from July 29 to Aug. 3. Biles, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, can add up to four more medals to her collection.
Per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explained why they’re allowing Owens to skip practice.
“Just because we respect the Olympics. That is a big deal,” Eberflus said. “And he’s just supporting the one he loves the most. And I think that’s so cool that he gets to do that. We welcome that and it’s going to be awesome. Go USA.”
Biles is certainly the couple’s bigger star, but Owens has also carved out his own athletic success.
After collecting 125 tackles for the Houston Texans in 2022, Owens registered 84 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown with the Green Bay Packers last season. He parlayed that production into a two-year contract from their NFC North foe.
Owens joins a Bears defense that improved from 29th to 12th in yards allowed last season. They hired defensive coordinator Eric Washington to lead the unit.
Although he has a new scheme to learn, Owens is eager to support his wife’s pursuit of history in Paris.
“No words can describe how proud of you I am baby,” Owens wrote on Instagram after Biles qualified for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team. “Just knowing all the work that you put in and everything that you’ve been through, and to still come back and be as dominant as ever, I was speechless. I’m so thankful to be a part of this journey with you, and I can’t wait to be able to watch you out there in Paris.”
Related: NFL Team Decides If Simone Biles’ Husband Can Attend Olympics