Owens exclusively tells PEOPLE about the “sacrifice” he’s seen Biles make in order to become the most decorated gymnast of all time.
Should Simone Biles — the most decorated gymnast of all time — return to the Olympics when the competition moves to Los Angeles in 2028, she’ll have the full support of her husband, Jonathan Owens.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE for Biles’ cover issue — on stands on Friday, Aug. 9 — Owens, 29, says he’ll be on board for “whatever she chooses.” He adds, “I’m going to support her one thousand percent.”
The Chicago Bears safety — who was given special permission to miss the start of his NFL team’s training camp to support his wife in Paris — says he “can’t make that decision for her.” He says, “It’s going to depend on how she feels because there’s a lot of sacrifice that comes with it.”
Yet, Owens knows firsthand the hard work and focus Biles, 27, has invested to become the greatest Olympic gymnast in history.
While he says “of course” he wants to see his wife compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, Owens explains, “If she feels like it is time to focus on life… because when you are locked in, you do have to sacrifice a lot and you do miss a lot.”
“That’s the one thing that she would just have to figure out for herself. And like I said, man, I’m here to support her a thousand percent and whatever she decides to do,” says Owens.
While family life is on the horizon, with Biles revealing they “definitely” want to have children in the future, she also left the door open for a return in four years.
After winning the gold medal in the individual vault final on Aug. 3, Biles said Paris was “definitely” the last time she will perform the Yurchenko double pike. However, when asked about a potential return in 2028, she told reporters, including PEOPLE, “The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know. But I am getting really old.”
And there are other life moments to consider outside of competition.
In addition to the possibility of kids, construction of the couple’s home in Houston will be completed soon. Owens tells PEOPLE the estimate is “probably another couple of months” until a “final walkthrough” — but they “can’t wait to be able to be in there.”
Owens, meanwhile, signed with the Chicago Bears following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 NFL season, which means he’ll be in Illinois through the New Year. “Chicago’s a pretty amazing city too,” the athlete says.
But once the NFL season ends, Biles and Owens, who tied the knot in April 2023, plan to enjoy their new home in Houston while the Olympian begins contemplating her gymnastics future.