Bears safety to skip game to support wife -- Simone Biles -- at Paris Games

Field Level Media|published: Tue 23rd July, 16:32 2024

Jun 2, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens watches his wife Simone Biles (not pictured) as she performs during day two of the women’s 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Bears safety Jonathan Owens received permission to skip the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1 to take a trip to Paris.

That's where his wife, four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles, will be competing in the 2024 Olympics. The Bears are scheduled to play a preseason game on Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio, as part of the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend.

The team final in women's gymnastics is scheduled for July 30 and the all-around final is Aug. 1.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said there was no decision to be made.

"We respect the Olympics. That's a big deal," Eberflus said. He's supporting the one he loves the most. I think that's so cool that he gets to do that, we welcome that and it's going to be awesome."

Owens was granted time off between July 29 and Aug. 3 to head to Paris, missing four practices and the game against the Houston Texans. He broke into the NFL from Missouri Western with the Texans and met Biles in Houston in 2020.

Owens and Biles married in 2023.

Owens, 29, has played 48 career games with the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. He signed a two-year contract with the Bears as an unrestricted free agent.

--Field Level Media

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