WASHINGTON: Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens returned to NFL pre-season workouts on Tuesday after a break to watch his wife — Simone Biles — dominate gymnastics at the Paris Olympics. The Bears excused Owens from training camp to go to France and watch his wife perform and win gold medals in the women’s team, all-around and vault, and a silver in floor exercise.

Biles has seven gold medals in all among her 11 career Olympics medals. “My wife is a warrior,” Owens said Tuesday as he rejoined Bears teammates to try and secure a spot on Chicago’s roster for the upcoming season. “She’s amazing, isn’t she? I’m over the moon,” Owens said. “I was just excited that I was able to sit there and I was able to witness it and experience the energy, the culture and just watch everyone react to her.”

Owens, whose pin trading in Paris produced a collection topped by one of his wife, was “overjoyed” at her comeback after struggling with mental issues and the “twisties” in her tumbling routines at the Tokyo Olympics. “When she did decide to come back, she accomplished everything she set her mind to,” Owens said. Owens watched videos of all Bears team meetings while he was away to help him quickly return to pre-season workouts at a top level. 

The Bears play their next pre-season game on Saturday against Buffalo. Owens, 29, has 152 solo tackles and 75 assists over 48 career NFL games for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, with two quarterback sacks, an interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. — AFP