Simone Biles is trending again—but this time, it’s not for flipping or flying through the air. The Olympic superstar is facing criticism online for taking a strong stand in support of transgender athletes being allowed to compete in women’s sports.
The back-and-forth kicked off after Biles got into it with former swimmer Riley Gaines on social media. Gaines has been a vocal critic of trans inclusion in sports, especially following former President Donald Trump’s recent executive order supporting it. Biles didn’t hold back, calling Gaines a “bully” and a “sore loser” in defense of trans athletes.
Plenty of people praised Biles for using her platform to speak up. But not everyone is convinced her stance is completely authentic. Former Alabama gymnastics standout Dee Worley, for one, questioned Biles’ motives during an appearance on the Fearless podcast with Jason Whitlock.
“I find it really interesting that Simone is sponsored by an organization called ‘Friends of the Children,’” Worley said. “It’s a well-funded group, and they’re very outspoken in their support of LGBTQ kids.”
Then she took it a step further: “I’m just getting this vibe that it’s all about the money. She’s acting like someone who’s been bought.”
Worley also claimed Biles’ views have shifted drastically since 2017, when she says Biles wasn’t in favor of biological males competing against females. The sudden change, according to Worley, doesn’t feel like a personal evolution—it feels like a business decision.
“When Checks Are Involved…”: Podcast Co-Host Says Simone Biles’ Husband Might Be In On It
Worley’s not alone in her suspicions. Co-host Shemeka Michelle chimed in, suggesting Biles’ husband—NFL safety Jonathan Owens—might be part of the equation, even if he’s staying quiet in public.
“I think her husband probably had some input behind closed doors,” Michelle said. “But when money’s involved, maybe they just don’t talk about it openly.”
She added, “He might actually be the one calling more shots than we realize. Just because he doesn’t worship Simone like the rest of us do doesn’t mean he’s not influencing things.”
At the end of the day, the conversation around trans athletes in women’s sports continues to spark passionate takes—and even sports legends like Biles aren’t off-limits when it comes to questions about where their support really comes from.
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Yelle is a broadcast communications graduate from the University of Perpetual Help-Dalta and has pursued a career in television and news writing in Net 25 and Radyo Agila. Some of her works can also be seen through her previous publication in Fastbreak.com.ph.
