Former NFL star Jason Kelce has admitted he doubted Simone Biles before her history-making performance at the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
Kelce attended the Games with wife Kylie and got to watch Biles in action. The superstar gymnast bounced back from her frustrating Tokyo Games with three gold medals and one silver, becoming the star of the Paris games.
Simone Biles releases forbidden videos from Team USA Olympics party
The medal haul made Biles the most successful US gymnast in the country’s rich history, taking her Olympic medal total up to 11.
Kelce was not expecting such a great performance, though, admitting on his and brother Travis’ podcast New Heights: “We watched like every [Team USA gymnastics] girl go and do the floor routine and Simone Biles was the last person and I’m like, you know she’s getting older. She’s a little bit… we’ll see how she looks.”
He added: “She is the anomaly because she jumped higher than everybody and it wasn’t even close. Like, you watch all these people do the floor routine, then it’s Simone’s at the end and within the first three seconds you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s different.'”
He continued, “She just jumped five feet higher than everybody else that has done this.”
Travis Kelce also weighed in on Biles’ achievement, adding: “It’s such a feel-good story knowing the past and everything that she’s had to go through and just to feel confident and getting back up there mentally. It’s the best, man. So happy for her. And America is so proud of her, man.”
Biles proud of herself
Speaking to Reuters after the game, Biles said: “I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams. Not just at the Olympics, but in the sport.
“A couple of years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games. So competing and then walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it. I’m pretty proud of myself.”
