Simone Biles has hit back against criticism for her decision to bow down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade after their floor final at the Olympics on Monday.
NFL player Marlon Humphrey tore into the legendary US gymnast and her teammate Jordan Chiles for their decision to celebrate Andrade on the podium in Paris.
On Monday, minutes after the results were in, Humphrey, 28, took to X to share his feelings on the two Team USA gymnasts hailing Andrade after she won her first gold medal of the summer.
‘This is literally disgusting,’ Humphrey wrote over SportsCenter’s post capturing the moment when Biles and Chiles show love to Andrade.
Biles and Chiles came respectively in second and third in the event. Andrade had suffered three ACL tears in her career before winning for the first time in Paris. She now has six Olympic medals in her career, two in gold (Andrade also won the vault final in Tokyo in 2021).
Simone Biles has hit back against criticism for bowing down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade
But, speaking on the TODAY show on Tuesday morning, Biles defended her decision and hailed Andrade once again.
She said: ‘I think it’s all about sportsmanship, and we don’t care whether we win or lose.
‘We’re always going to keep a good face and support our competitors because they’ve worked just as hard as we have for that moment.
‘You have to give them their flowers and that’s exactly what me and Jordan were doing.
‘We were so happy for her. She deserved it, she had the best floor routine of the day, and of the Olympics.’
Humphrey later faced backlash from fans on social media for his bizarre take.
‘Yeah, because giving someone their flowers who has come back from THREE ACL tears to continue to be a top gymnast is disgusting,’ one user on X replied.
Another Olympic viewer echoed: ‘God forbid athletes show respect to a fellow athlete who has suffered a torn ACL multiple times.’
A third told him to ‘get to a final and win something. Then you can talk.’
‘This is literally beautiful,’ another user pointed out in contrast to Humphery’s reaction.
Rebeca Andrade reacts to Simone Biles’ bow to her after winning gold
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Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey decried the sportsmanlike gesture on social media
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The three-time Pro Bowler later said that he felt the wrath of Brazil fans on social media although he seemed to have forgotten that they 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 in a separate post.
Biles finished the 2024 Olympics with four medals, including three in gold, to take her total count to 11.
She also praised Andrade for her keeping the bar high in gymnastics at the Olympics.
‘I’ve never had an athlete so close,’ Biles said about facing the Brazilian.
‘This definitely kept me alert and brought out the best athlete in me. So I’m excited and proud to compete with her.
‘I’ve never been so stressed before. Thank you, Rebeca.’
