What began as a high school softball celebration has exploded into a fiery debate with Simone Biles and Riley Gaines at the forefront of it. It first erupted when Gaines reacted to the Minnesota State High School League’s celebratory X post, which had its comment turned off, after their win of the 2025 Class AAAA Girls Softball State Championship. Gaines connected that to the presence of a trans athlete on the winning team’s roster, which got a fierce reaction from Biles. And somehow, Simone’s husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens, is also part of the debate. But how?

Simone Biles had fired back in Riley’s initial tweet with, “You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser….” As this feud made rounds, the conversation gained reactions from multiple fans, athletes, and analysts. But Gaines is now wondering what Biles’ husband’s take would be. Until now, Jonathan Owens has kept his silence on the matter. However, now, Riley Gaines has posed a serious question.

On the Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines podcast’s recent episode from June 9, “Riley Responds to Simone Biles,” the swimmer expressed her disappointment over the matter while posing a question for her husband. Riley said, “Last thing, actually, I wonder how her husband feels about this.” She went on to explain Jonathan Owens’ background, “Her husband is an NFL player. I think he plays for the Bears. I wonder, I wonder if how he feels right, like he’s a big man, like tall, strong, large, like many NFL football players that that same stature.”

Riley Gaines then drew the final straw of the connection with a hypothetical question. She said, “Wonder, wonder if he [Owens] agrees if he would want a woman like Simone Biles, Simone Biles on the football field with him, running full speed at her with every intention to flatten her.” Gaines then reiterated her standpoint, saying, “I would imagine he wouldn’t support that, but who knows in this world anymore? I can’t keep up.” 

Riley Gaines says she has gained support from gymnasts as well…

A day after their tussle on X, Gaines took to her Instagram and shared a message. She posted two stories, speaking about the aftermath of her tweet. “I thought I’d share the number of Team USA Olympic athletes who have reached out to me over the past 12 hours—both men and women—across many different sports, including the sport of gymnastics.” Yes, she has claimed that even people from Simone Biles’ sport have reached out to support her.

While doing this, Gaines did not disclose any names, though. She said, “I’m not going to get into any of that. I’m not going to disclose it.” However, she opined that they all were supporting her side of the argument.

While she claims that athletes from many sports have reached out to her, NFL remains dicey, especially the involvement of Simone’s husband. But the real question is, will Owens jump in? Especially after this statement? Let us know what you think!