In a recent turn of events at the Paris Olympics, former First Lady Michelle Obama has come to the defense of gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles after NFL star Marlon Humphrey criticized them for their sportsmanship. The controversy began when Biles and Chiles were seen bowing down to Brazil’s gymnast Rebeca Andrade during the medal ceremony, a gesture of respect commonly practiced in various cultures around the world.
The incident sparked a debate on the Socials, with Humphrey calling the gesture “disgusting”. However, Michelle Obama was quick to lend her support to Biles and Chiles, praising them for their grace and humility in the face of intense competition.
After Biles and Chiles made the gesture on the podium after their respective second and third place finish in the floor exercise final on Monday, Humphrey – a cornerback on the Baltimore Ravens – quoted a photo of the moment on X and wrote: ‘This is literally disgusting’.
But it appears that Michelle has now had her say on the viral snap as the former First Lady shared on X (barely 24 hours after Humphrey’s comment): ‘I’m still not over this beautiful moment of sisterhood and sportsmanship!
‘You can just feel the love shining through these ladies,’ she added. ‘Congrats Rebeca, Jordan and Simone!’
Humphrey was later slammed on social media by those watching the Olympics, as a person informed him of Andrade’s history with injuries and her close bond with her rivals, Biles and Chiles.
‘Yeah, because giving someone their flowers who has come back from THREE ACL tears to continue to be a top gymnast is disgusting,’ the user shared as a reply on X to Humphrey’s post.
Another person echoed: ‘God forbid athletes show respect to a fellow athlete who has suffered a torn ACL multiple times.’
Someone else dared to tell Humphrey to first ‘get to a final and win something. Then you can talk.’
‘This is literally beautiful,’ another user pointed out in contrast to Humphrey’s post.
Humphrey seemed to have regretted his actions later on X when he told his followers that he felt the wrath of Brazilian fans on the platform while also forgetting that they actually speak Portuguese in the South American country.
‘I’m lowkey getting cooked right now. I think I’m getting cussed out in Brazilian on Instagram lol,’ Humphrey shared a few hours after his initial reaction to the snap of Biles, Chiles and Andrade.
Replying to Michelle’s post on X, Tuesday, a fan said of the three Olympic gymnasts’ showing of solidarity on the podium: ‘We can all learn from this.’
‘It was truly beautiful,’ another user echoed. ‘This is why we love sports n reason why the world organizes the Olympics. Rebaca, Simone n Jordan you three are true Queens.’
Someone else said on X: ‘Competition, unity and respect. Olympics!’
In a world where division and conflict too often dominate the headlines, the display of unity and respect shown by Biles and Chiles serves as a shining example of the power of sports to bring people together. As Michelle Obama rightly points out, it is these values that truly define the essence of the Olympic Games and inspire us all to be better, both on and off the field.
Flip to the next page for the viral picture of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and reactions from NFL star Marlon Humphrey and Michelle Obama…
