Simone Biles recently stirred up a social media storm when she wore a Green Bay Packers jacket to her husband Jonathan Owens’ game with the Chicago Bears over the weekend. This fashion choice was met with considerable backlash, primarily due to the intense rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, which only heightened the controversy.

The incident unfolded when Biles, the 27-year-old Olympic gymnastics star, attended the game where her husband, Jonathan Owens, was playing for the Chicago Bears. Despite receiving a caution from a friend on HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears,” Biles chose to sport the Green Bay Packers jacket, which prominently featured Owens’ name and his No. 34 jersey from his previous stint with the Packers in 2023. The friend’s suggestion, captured in the HBO series, was clear: “I would be taking that jacket off if I were you,” indicating the potential for backlash given the historic rivalry between the two NFL teams.

The decision to wear the jacket was met with a mix of shock and disapproval from fans. The Packers and Bears have one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in professional football, making Biles’ choice of attire particularly provocative. Reactions on social media were swift and critical. One fan expressed their dismay, tweeting, “It’s ridiculously unaware of your surroundings and insulting to her husband.” Another user demanded, “With all due respect, Simone Biles gotta throw that jacket in the trash ASAP,” reflecting the strong sentiment among fans who felt the jacket was a slight against the Bears.

Further inflaming the situation, a third fan declared, “Simone Biles should be stripped of all her medals after wearing Packers gear while cheering for the Bears.” This extreme reaction highlighted how deeply the rivalry is felt among sports enthusiasts, who viewed the jacket as a significant breach of sports decorum, despite the fact that it was a nod to her husband’s previous team.

Amidst the backlash, Biles did not publicly address the criticism directly. However, she appeared in a video for NBC Sports, cheerfully engaging with Chicago Bears fans. In the video, shared on Saturday, Biles greeted the audience with a cheerful “What’s up, Chicago? Go Bears,” though she notably adjusted her jacket, pushing it off her shoulders, possibly to avoid further scrutiny. This video also featured her wearing a more neutral outfit, with the jacket clearly positioned away from her shoulders, which might have been an attempt to quell some of the negative reactions.

On her Instagram page, Biles shared a post showcasing her outfit from the game day. Her ensemble included the controversial Green Bay Packers jacket, which she paired with a black athletic bodysuit, a black Prada bucket hat, reflective sunglasses, and a black Balenciaga purse. She completed the look with black and white Nike sneakers. The post, which was intended to flaunt her game-day style, ended up drawing even more attention to the jacket, fueling the ongoing discussion.

Biles and Owens have previously attracted attention for their public displays of support for each other. Earlier this month, Owens faced criticism for wearing one of Biles’ Olympic gold medals from the Paris Games around his neck. In response to the negative comments, Biles had defended their choices, calling out the critics as “miserable.” This recent incident with the jacket appears to follow a pattern of the couple’s bold, sometimes controversial, public statements.

The couple, who have been married since May 2023, have consistently supported each other’s careers, with Biles attending Owens’ NFL games and Owens traveling to watch Biles compete in gymnastics. Despite the controversies surrounding their fashion choices, their mutual support remains a cornerstone of their relationship.

In summary, Simone Biles’ choice to wear a Green Bay Packers jacket to her husband’s game against the Chicago Bears sparked significant controversy due to the historical rivalry between the teams. While the backlash was fierce, particularly on social media, Biles has not directly addressed the criticism but has continued to support her husband and engage with fans in other ways.