• Simone Biles worked as a credentialed photographer at Sunday Night Football.
  • She wore an NFL media vest, carried a Sony camera and used media No. 36.
  • Biles photographed husband Jonathan Owens before the Bears-49ers game.

Olympic champion steps onto NFL sideline

Simone Biles, the 11-time Olympic medalist, appeared on the sideline as a credentialed photographer during the San Francisco 49ers’ matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

From gold medals to game-day snaps

Biles arrived at the game wearing an NFL media vest and carrying a Sony camera, snapping photos around the field. She told onlookers it was “just a little side gig” as she shared a pregame moment with players and friends, including a hug with 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey’s wife, Olivia Culpo.

Photographing Jonathan Owens

With her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, warming up, Biles took photos of Owens before the game. She later showed off her media number — No. 36 — the same number Owens wears on the field.

Social posts and behind-the-scenes moments

Biles shared a photo of Jonathan Owens on Instagram during the event. You can see the post here: Simone Biles Instagram photo of Jonathan Owens.

She and Owens married in April 2023; their wedding photos are available here: Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens wedding.

Embedded social post: NFL X post about Suni Lee working as a photographer

Not the first Olympian behind a lens

Biles wasn’t the only Olympian to pick up a photographer’s credential this season. Fellow Olympic gymnast Suni Lee was spotted in a similar role as a photographer during the Minnesota Vikings’ Christmas Day matchup against the Detroit Lions, a moment shared by the NFL on X.

Why it mattered

The appearance highlighted how athletes and public figures are exploring different roles around major sporting events. For Biles, the sideline role offered a chance to support her husband while getting a close-up view of the game through a creative lens.

Quick facts

  • Event: San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday Night Football
  • Credential: NFL media vest, No. 36
  • Gear: Sony camera (on-field photography)

Photographer credit for images from the event: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.

Image Referance: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47439752/simone-biles-photographer-credentialed-49ers-bears-sunday-night-football