New Uniform, Identical GOAT: Simone Biles Works the Sidelines as Visitor NFL Photographer | Information

Simone Biles, the world’s most embellished gymnast, traded her competitors leotard for an expert digicam lens on Sunday night time. During the Chicago Bears’ primetime matchup in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, Biles appeared on the sidelines not as a spectator, however as a completely credentialed photographer.

The Olympic gold medalist was collaborating within the NFL’s Celebrity Photographer Series, a program that permits high-profile figures to hitch the league’s reside content material correspondent staff. Biles was seen outfitted with an expert Sony digicam and a big telephoto lens, transferring by way of the media areas to seize motion photographs of the sport. To mark the event, she wore an official NFL media vest custom-made with the quantity “36,” which is the jersey quantity worn by her husband, Chicago Bears security Jonathan Owens.

Throughout the night, Biles documented the “Sunday Night Football” contest from the sector stage. She was noticed positioning herself amongst seasoned sports activities photojournalists to {photograph} gamers throughout warmups and recreation motion. On social media, Biles referred to the expertise as a “side gig” and a “side quest,” sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her new function together with her followers. While on the sidelines, she was additionally seen interacting with different high-profile visitors, together with influencer Olivia Culpo, who’s married to 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey.

This look follows Biles’ historic efficiency on the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the gymnastics season presently in its off-period, Biles has been a frequent presence at Bears video games to assist Owens. Owens, who joined the Chicago franchise on a two-year contract in March 2024 after a stint with the Green Bay Packers, began within the defensive secondary whereas Biles labored from the sidelines.

Biles is the most recent in a string of notable figures to hitch the NFL’s images initiative. Fellow Olympic gymnast Suni Lee lately took on the identical function throughout a Christmas Day recreation between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. According to league officers, this system gives a novel perspective on the sport by placing the digicam within the fingers of outstanding cultural figures.