Bears safety Jonathan Owens’ wife, Olympic champion Simone Biles, deactivated her X account on Monday after intense backlash linked to her recent dispute with former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines. The controversy stemmed from conflicting views on transgender participation in women’s sports, leading to a series of sharp online exchanges that sparked both support and criticism. Biles later apologized publicly for her approach during the interaction.
Riley Gaines, once a University of Kentucky swimmer and now a podcast host at Outkick, reacted to Biles’ account deactivation.
“Sad to see such a phenom go down like this,” Gaines tweeted.
Jonathan Owens Announces New Partnership with GoodSport
At the same time that Simone Biles faced social media turmoil, Jonathan Owens revealed his latest endorsement deal with GoodSport, a hydration beverage brand. Owens’ partnership highlights a product designed as a clean, science-backed alternative to sugary sports drinks, marketed with 1,600 mg of electrolytes, no added sugar, and B vitamins to aid athletic performance and recovery.
The deal will give Owens exposure at Costco outlets alongside social media campaigns promoting the drink. A promotional video released Sunday showed Owens training in Texas, replenishing with GoodSport during his workout.
This endorsement marks a significant milestone in Owens’ career as he embarks on his second year with the Chicago Bears and enters his fifth NFL season.
Social Media Reactions Tie Owens’ Endorsement to Biles’ Controversy
Following the announcement, some social media users began tagging GoodSport to connect Owens’ endorsement with the ongoing debate involving his wife. Despite the association raised online, GoodSport has remained silent publicly, while Owens continues to promote the hydration brand without addressing the surrounding controversy.
The situation highlights the challenges athletes face when personal and professional lives intersect amidst tense public debates. How Owens’ partnership and the social media backlash will evolve remains uncertain as the NFL season progresses.