SIMONE Biles has issued a defiant statement after wearing a controversial Green Bay Packers-themed jacket in support of her husband.
The Team USA gymnastics superstar received major backlash for wearing the Packers jacket while watching Chicago Bears star Jonathan Owens in action over the weekend.
The Packers and Bears are historic and bitter rivals.
Many Bears fans did not appreciate Biles wearing Packers attire at Soldier Field, even if it was in support of her husband.
After the Bears defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 in a preseason clash on Saturday, Biles put out a two-word statement on her social media platforms.
“Bear down,” she wrote.
Owens signed a two-year contract with the Bears in March after spending a season with the Packers.
And Biles was returning the favor to her husband, who traveled to Paris to watch her in action during the Olympic Games over the summer.
Biles was noticeably wearing a boot on her left foot as a “precautionary” measure after injuring her calf in Paris.
But it was her jacket that caused much more attention over the weekend.
Simone Biles should be stripped of all her medals after wearing Packers gear while cheering for the Bears,” one fan said.
“Yeah yeah I get it, her husband played for the packers and it’s an Owens themed jacket, but this is just wrong.”
Another fan said: “Simone Biles wearing a jacket covered in packers logos in Chicago. WHAT ARE WE DOING!?!?”
A third fan noted: “Fix this Chicago Bears. Get her some swag.”
Owens recently revealed he might have a new celebration in store for fans this season, inspired by Biles.
In a clip posted by NFL Films to preview a new episode of Hard Knocks, Owens is seen in a conversation with defensive back Elijah Hicks, who suggested that Owens has to do a flip after he gets an interception.
“Imma salute with it though,” Owens responded before copying the pose struck by Biles to salute judges during the floor final in Paris.
Biles claimed three golds in Paris, adding to the four she won at the Rio Games in 2016.
After her victory in the all-around event, Owens was fulsome in his praise.
“Greatness,” Owens posted on social media. “You accomplish whatever you set your mind to, and do it with so much grace.”
Bears safety Owens had previously revealed that he negotiated with head coach Matt Eberflus to go to France for the Games.
Obviously the Olympics were coming up and you know who my wife is,” he said.
“It was all respectful. We went to them and asked: ‘We’d really appreciate if he could go to support his wife.’”
Eberflus said the sheer size of the event made him happy to allow Owens to go.
“Just because we respect the Olympics,” Eberflus said.
That is a big deal. And he’s just supporting the one he loves the most.
“And I think that’s so cool that he gets to do that.”
Owens was heavily scrutinized for wearing one of Biles’ Olympic medals in Paris.
The picture sparked outrage among some of the gymnast’s fans, who took issue with the Bear’s safety having the medal on.
Among them was TikTok influencer Kiera Breaugh, who told Owens to “take her medal off.”
The viral post reached Biles’ feed — and the Team USA star was not happy.
“Crazy thing is, I put my medal on every single one of my family members and took pictures,” Biles wrote in the comment, per the Daily Mail.
She added, “Like y’all are so f***ing miserable. Leave us alone.”
