Simone Biles’ husband Jonathan Owens says he was nearly robbed while in Milan for Winter Olympics
Jonathan Owens, the NFL safety married to Olympic champion Simone Biles, says he narrowly avoided a robbery while shopping in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Owens shared a firsthand account of the encounter on social media, describing a would‑be thief who tried to snatch his bag before fleeing when the attempt failed.
Owens’ account: quick reflexes and a tied bag
Owens wrote that the incident happened while he was out in Milan and that he had his bag looped around his hand. "Not somebody just tried to snatch my shopping bag in Milan, force of habit I had it tied around my hand so he couldn’t get it and took off running immediately…. but still crazy, " he wrote. He added that he had been watching videos about pickpocket tactics and felt ready for the possibility of a grab attempt.
In the exchange that followed on social media, Owens joked that the would‑be thief was "not fast at all, " saying it was almost comical how slowly the man ran once the grab failed. It was not made clear what was in the bag, and there has been no indication of injury or that police were involved in the immediate aftermath.
Olympic weekend: figure skating, shopping and supporting Team USA
The encounter came as Owens and Biles had been attending events across Milan and Cortina during the Winter Games. The pair were spotted at the men’s free skate figure skating competition on Feb. 13, 2026 (ET), cheering on athletes and sharing moments from their trip. Biles posted a photo of the two at a luxury store, captioning the snapshot with a lighthearted note about being spoiled.
They were particularly invested in the contest involving high‑flying contender Ilia Malinin. Malinin, viewed by many as a favorite, suffered two falls and finished eighth; Biles reacted emotionally, writing simply, "Totally devastated for Ilia. " Her reaction echoed the pressure elite athletes face on the big stage, a topic she knows well from her own Olympic experiences.
Safety, perspective and the lighter side
The episode highlights a common concern for visitors in busy tourist hubs during major international events: petty theft and opportunistic grabs. Owens’ quick thinking—keeping the bag secured to his wrist—prevented the thief from succeeding and allowed the couple to continue their Olympic visit without escalation.
While the incident was unsettling, Owens’ social media follow‑up struck a lighter tone. He described the encounter as "crazy" but also recounted how prepared he felt from watching videos about similar schemes. Fans and followers responded with relief that he was unhurt and amused by his description of the thief’s slow getaway.
For now, Owens and Biles remain focused on enjoying the Games and supporting athletes from their home country. The brief scare in Milan served as a reminder to take ordinary precautions in crowded settings, but it did little to dent the couple’s Olympic plans or their public support for competitors navigating high‑pressure moments on the ice and snow.
