The $100,000 Fashion Faux Pas: 5 Shocking Facts About Simone Biles' Viral Packers Jacket
The viral moment involving Olympic legend Simone Biles and a Green Bay Packers jacket remains one of the most talked-about sideline fashion statements in recent NFL history, even as of this date in late 2025. This seemingly simple piece of outerwear transcended mere clothing to become a flashpoint for the fierce rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Packers, sparking debates across social media, sports networks, and fan forums. The story is a perfect storm of celebrity, sports rivalry, and fashion, with a twist of irony given her husband’s subsequent career move.
The controversy, which originally unfolded during the 2023 NFL preseason, gained new life in 2024 and 2025 as the career of her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, continued its own dramatic arc. This article dives into the complete chronology, the fan reaction, the jacket’s design, and why this single fashion choice became a cultural phenomenon that cost Biles a little peace of mind, but ultimately earned her a legendary status among supportive spouses.
The Complete Biography and Career Timeline of Jonathan Owens
To fully appreciate the significance of the Green Bay Packers jacket, one must first understand the career trajectory of Simone Biles' husband, Jonathan Owens. The NFL safety has had a dynamic journey through the league, which is central to the jacket's polarizing effect on the fan base.
- Full Name: Jonathan James Owens
- Born: July 22, 1995 (Age 30 as of late 2025)
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
- College: Missouri Western State University (Played for the Griffons)
- Position: Safety (S)
- Marital Status: Married to Simone Biles (Engaged February 2022, Married April 2023)
- NFL Draft Status: Undrafted (Signed as a rookie free agent)
- NFL Career Timeline (Key Entities):
- Arizona Cardinals (2018): Signed as an undrafted free agent, spent time on the practice squad.
- Houston Texans (2019–2022): Spent four seasons in Houston, moving from the practice squad to a starting role.
- Green Bay Packers (2023): Signed a one-year contract, played all 17 regular-season games, and helped the team reach the playoffs.
- Chicago Bears (2024–Present): Signed with the Bears, the primary rival of the Packers, a move that brought the jacket controversy full circle.
The Anatomy of the Viral Moment: When and Why the Jacket Caused Chaos
The infamous moment took place in August 2023 during the NFL preseason. Jonathan Owens had just signed with the Green Bay Packers for the 2023 season, marking a new chapter in his professional career. Simone Biles, known for her unwavering support, attended a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, where the Chicago Bears play.
The Rivalry and the Fashion Faux Pas
The core of the controversy lies in the historic and deeply bitter rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in all of professional sports.
Biles chose to wear a bold, bright Green Bay Packers puffer jacket to the game. While her intention was clearly to support her husband's new team, the location—Chicago, the heart of Bears territory—made the fashion choice instantly polarizing.
The jacket was a vibrant piece of Packers merchandise, often described as a blue and green puffer coat, sometimes customized with Owens' number 36. She paired it with other supportive gear, including a hoodie and glasses also marked with the number 36.
Chicago Bears fans, known for their passionate loyalty, immediately took offense. Wearing the gear of the arch-rivals, the "Frozen Tundra" team, in the Bears' home stadium was perceived by many as a massive sign of disrespect and "unawareness."
The Immediate and Lasting Backlash
The reaction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram was swift and intense. Biles was "roasted," "slammed," and "trolled" by a massive wave of NFL fans, particularly those loyal to the Monsters of the Midway.
Critics argued that as the wife of a player, she should have been more sensitive to the local fan culture and the intensity of the NFC North rivalry. The incident quickly became a national sports headline, overshadowing the preseason game itself.
In response to the heat, Biles later addressed the situation, confirming that she had purchased more Chicago Bears gear to wear to subsequent games. This move was seen as a peace offering to the fan base, acknowledging the misstep in her game-day attire.
The Irony of the 2024/2025 Season: The Jacket Comes Full Circle
The story of the Packers jacket took an incredible, ironic turn in the 2024 NFL offseason. After playing a full season and contributing significantly to the Packers' playoff run, Jonathan Owens signed a new contract, but this time with the Chicago Bears.
This team change transformed the entire narrative of the jacket controversy. The garment that once symbolized a rivalry affront now represents a unique piece of personal history for the couple, bridging the gap between two of the league's most storied franchises.
From Rival to Teammate: A New Fan Perspective
With Owens officially a Bear, the perception of Biles' original Packers jacket shifted:
- The Ultimate Spouse Support: The jacket is now viewed by many as a symbol of Biles' unconditional support for her husband, following him wherever his career took him—even if it meant wearing a rival's colors for a brief period.
- A Historical Artifact: The jacket is now a quirky piece of memorabilia, representing the single season (2023) Owens spent in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before moving to Halas Hall and the Windy City in 2024.
- A Fashion Statement: The Puffer Jacket itself, a popular winter staple, has become a sought-after unofficial piece of celebrity-inspired merchandise, with numerous online stores selling replicas of the "Simone Biles Packers Puffer."
The career move also placed the couple directly into the heart of the rivalry from a new angle. Now, when the Bears and Packers face off, Jonathan Owens is on the Bears' side, and Biles is expected to be decked out in Orange and Navy Blue at Lambeau Field or Soldier Field, completing her transition from Packers wife to Bears wife.
Topical Authority and Key Entities in the Biles-Owens Sports Saga
The relationship between Simone Biles, arguably the greatest gymnast of all time and a four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Jonathan Owens, a rising NFL safety, has created a powerful intersection of two major sporting worlds. This convergence generates massive media interest and topical authority.
Key entities that contribute to the ongoing narrative:
- Simone Biles: Olympic Gold Medalist, GOAT (Greatest of All Time), Houston, Texas resident.
- Jonathan Owens: NFL Safety, Missouri Western State University alumnus, Defensive Back.
- Green Bay Packers: NFC North team, Lambeau Field, Arch-Rival.
- Chicago Bears: NFC North team, Soldier Field, Arch-Rival.
- Houston Texans: Owens' former team where he spent four seasons.
- Arizona Cardinals: Owens' first NFL team.
- NFC North Division: The competitive division that features both the Bears and the Packers, ensuring at least two high-stakes matchups per year.
- NFL Preseason: The time frame (August 2023) when the initial controversy occurred.
- Number 36: Jonathan Owens' jersey number, often featured on Biles' supportive gear.
- Puffer Jacket: The specific style of the jacket that sparked the fan war.
- Halas Hall: The Chicago Bears’ team headquarters.
- Windy City: Nickname for Chicago, Illinois.
- Frozen Tundra: Nickname for Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Mentioned in some reports as the Bears’ opponent during the controversial game.
- Brian Gutekunst: Packers General Manager who signed Owens in 2023.
- Sports Illustrated (SI): Major publication that covered the fashion moment.
The Simone Biles Packers jacket is more than a simple fashion accessory; it is a timestamp on a celebrity relationship, a commentary on the intensity of the NFL fan base, and a piece of cultural history that perfectly captures the drama of professional sports. It serves as a permanent reminder that in the world of the NFL, especially in the NFC North, apparel is never just apparel—it is a declaration of war.
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