Jonathan Owens ‘overjoyed’ for success of Simone Biles

Owens loved sitting in the stands and hearing multiple languages being spoken. Though he didn’t always understand what was being said, he realized that every fan had something in common.

“Competition is universal,” Owens said. “So everyone is in there stressed and cheering for whoever you’re there to support. I didn’t know Brazil [fans] would be in front of me putting their flag up, so I’m standing up like ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ It was a pretty dope experience.”

While in Paris, Owens visited the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. He also watched the Bears take on the Texans in the Hall of Fame Game live in the wee hours of the morning.

Now back at training camp, Owens is grateful that the Bears allowed him to share such a special experience with his wife.

“I just feel like it was one of those things where the stars just aligned,” he said. “I still have a job here at the end of the day. My coaches were calling me to see how I was doing, making sure I was getting rest. Obviously, they want to congratulate Simone and everything, but they were also just keeping me up to date on what’s going on.

“I had my iPad, so I was able to watch film, any practices that I missed. And when they did play, I think it was 2 a.m. in the morning Paris time, I stayed up and watched the game until the rain delay just to support the guys. Like I said, I was happy they allowed me to go.”