Could Jonathan Owens' LA 2028 hopes bring Simone Biles back to gymnastics glory?
Flag football debuts at the 2028 Olympics, with Jonathan Owens eyeing gold and Simone Biles uncertain about competing again. (Getty Images)
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are going to script history—one that blends America's sporting identity with global spectacle. For the first time ever, American football is no longer just an American obsession; it's stepping into Olympic territory under the banner of flag football.
As this historic moment draws closer, attention is shifting toward potential stars who could represent Team USA on the world's grandest sporting stage. Amid all the buzz, an unlikely name—NFL safety Jonathan Owens—is now part of a headline-worthy narrative, not just because of his play but because of who he's married to: gymnastics icon
Simone Biles
.
Jonathan Owens
opens up on Olympics dream as Simone Biles' next move hangs in balance
In a recent Chicago Bears reel posted on May 22, Jonathan Owens made a cheeky yet bold statement that set social media abuzz.
When asked who should be on the Olympic flag football team, he casually pointed his water bottle toward the camera. Wrapped around the bottle was a paper with his initials 'JO.' Without skipping a beat, Owens said, 'I am bringing another gold medal to the family.' The message was simple but powerful—a confident declaration that he intends to bring Olympic glory, just like his legendary wife.
Owens, known more for his grit on the football field than for media soundbites, might just be the perfect poster boy for flag football's Olympic debut.
His statement wasn't just for clout—it was reposted on his Instagram Story with a pair of eye emojis, signaling that he's serious about the shot. With the NFL having unanimously voted to allow one player from each team to represent their country, this competition will not only be about national pride but also about opportunity.
Every player gets one chance. Owens wants his.
The 2028 Olympics mark a full-circle moment for American football.
It was last seen in an Olympic setting back in 1932, also in Los Angeles, but only as a demonstration sport. Now, nearly a century later, the return feels more like a homecoming than an experiment. The inclusion of flag football is symbolic—it's a version of the sport that's fast, dynamic, and accessible, without the physical toll of traditional football.
And in a world that's rapidly embracing inclusivity and global reach in sports, this change feels timely.
Owens' journey to the Olympics, should it happen, would be a debut not just for him but for many NFL players who've long seen the Olympics as outside their reach. And while his dream is gathering momentum, the narrative becomes richer with Simone Biles in the picture. A seven-time Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated gymnast of all time, Biles brings gravity to this tale. If Owens makes it, their household could hold golds from two different Olympic sports—a feat unheard of in recent memory.
Yet, the irony lies in Biles' own uncertainty about competing in 2028. In a candid conversation with L'Équipe, she revealed, 'I'm really trying to enjoy life, to spend time with my husband, go support him at his games, live my life as a woman. I've accomplished so much in my sport. For me to come back, it would really have to excite me.' At 31, Biles would be pushing the limits of what's considered typical in her discipline.
Still, whether she's on the mat or in the stands, her presence in LA is a given.
Fans may still hope for a dual gold-medal moment from the power couple. But even if that doesn't materialize, the essence of 2028 is clear—America's beloved game will finally be tested on the global scale, and athletes like Jonathan Owens are already gearing up for that challenge.
After all, it's not just about the players; it's about what the sport stands for. And in 2028, the world will be watching.
Also Read:
Should Tom Brady unretire to lead Team USA in flag football at the 2028 Olympics? Fans manifest GOAT's return for one last time
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