Michelle Obama has leapt to Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles’ defense after NFL star Marlon Humphrey branded both American gymnasts as ‘disgusting’ for bowing down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade at the Olympics.
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.
Michelle Obama leapt to the defense of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles after NFL star Marlon Humphrey branded both gymnasts as ‘disgusting’ for bowing down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade
Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow down to Rebeca Andrade on podium
‘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.
Humphrey later regretted his post on X, sharing that he was ‘getting cussed out in Brazilian’
We can all learn from this
— Where's Waldo Emerson? (@Richard89220241)
August 6, 2024
It was truly beautiful. This is why we love sports n reason why the world organizes the Olympics ❤.
Rebeca, Simone n Jordan you three are true Queens.— Bilge (@Bilge_Otgon) August 6, 2024
Competition, unity and respect. Olympics! 🥇🥈🥉🇧🇷🇺🇸
— Diogo ™ (@diogo2707)
August 6, 2024
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!’
Biles finished the 2024 Olympics with four medals, including three in gold, to take her total Olympic count to 11. Along with Chiles, she won gold in the women’s artistic team all-around final.
