A lighthearted conversation between Simone Biles‘s husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, has taken an unexpected turn, sparking a fiery debate about gender roles and power dynamics in their relationship.
During his recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, he reminisced about their beginnings. Owens, admitting he wasn’t initially familiar with Biles’ fame when they met online, readily agreed with host Ryan Clark’s playful question: “Do you consider yourself the catch in this marriage?”
His seemingly offhand remark, “I always say that the men are the catch,” landed awkwardly. This sparked immediate backlash on social media, with many expressing disbelief and questioning whether Owens truly understands the incredible woman he shares his life with.
Critics have interpreted Owens’ comment as reinforcing outdated gender stereotypes, implying that Biles, despite her unparalleled achievements, somehow requires “rescuing” by him. Comments flooded platforms like Twitter, with the hashtag #NotTheCatch trending as users voiced their disapproval.
“Biles, a woman who defies gravity and wins gold medals for breakfast, needs Jonathan Owens, a football player, as the ‘catch’?” tweeted one user. “The audacity is astounding.”
As the discussion unfolded, Owens attempted to address the criticism on his own social media platforms. He posted a photo of himself and Biles captioned, “Just know we locked in over here,” seemingly unfazed by the debate.
