Jonathan Owens, the Green Bay Packers safety and husband of Olympic legend Simone Biles, found himself at the centre of a heated confrontation during a joint practice session with the Chicago Bears.
Eyewitnesses reported that Owens engaged in a fiery exchange with Bears wide receiver Dante Pettis following a contested play. The incident escalated quickly, with both players needing to be separated by teammates and coaching staff.
Practice Session Turns Physical
The altercation occurred during 11-on-11 drills when Owens delivered what appeared to be a particularly hard hit on Pettis. Sources close to the team suggest the Bears receiver took exception to the tackle's intensity, leading to shoving and verbal sparring between the two athletes.
"Things got pretty heated out there," one observer noted. "Both players were clearly fired up and it took several teammates to calm the situation down."
Coaches Step In
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley quickly intervened to prevent the scuffle from escalating further. Practice resumed shortly after, though tensions remained palpable throughout the remainder of the session.
This isn't the first time joint practices between NFL teams have seen tempers flare. The intense, competitive nature of these sessions often leads to such confrontations as players battle for roster spots and starting positions.
Owens' Rising Profile
The incident brings additional attention to Owens, whose profile has risen significantly since his marriage to Biles in 2023. The 28-year-old defensive back joined the Packers this offseason after three years with the Houston Texans.
While known for his physical play style, Owens hasn't previously been involved in many on-field altercations during his NFL career. The Bears joint practices represent one of the first opportunities for the Packers' new-look secondary to test themselves against opposing receivers.
Neither Owens nor Pettis were made available for comment following the practice session. Both teams are preparing for their preseason opener this weekend, where fans will be watching closely to see if any lingering tensions carry over into the game.
