Simone Biles and Marlon Humphrey (Photos via Getty Images)
Simone Biles has offered a response to the criticism stemming from her decision to bow to Rebeca Andrade following their floor final at the Olympic Games on Monday.
‘Very happy and humbled’ – Andrade after beating Biles to claim gold in floor exercise
Baltimore Ravens star Marlon Humphrey lashed out at Biles because she opted to celebrate the Brazilian on the podium after she came back from multiple ACL tears to win Olympic gold.
“This is literally disgusting,” the cornerback wrote in response to a tweet from SportsCenter showing the moment Biles and teammate Jordan Chiles honored Andrade. The Americans came second and third, respectively, with the Brazilian winning her first gold in Paris on the back of three ACL tears.
Biles has since defended her decision to bow to her South American counterpart.
“I think it’s all about sportsmanship, and we don’t care whether we win or lose,” she said on the ‘TODAY’ show this Tuesday (H/T the Daily Mail). “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.”
Social Media Dragged Marlon Humphrey Following His Comment On Simone Biles
Marlon Humphrey didn’t get anyone to agree with him on social media either.
“Yeah, because giving someone their flowers who has come back from THREE ACL tears to continue to be a top gymnast is disgusting,” one fan replied.
“God forbid athletes show respect to a fellow athlete who has suffered a torn ACL multiple times,” another said.
“Man shut up you nfl guys d ride players from rivals all the time,” someone else wrote.
“Sportsmanship disgusts you?” asked another.
Humphrey later tweeted that he was “getting cooked” by Brazilians on social media, though it appears he wasn’t aware of their native language.
Meanwhile, Simone Biles had plenty of praise for Rebeca Andrade during her interview, claiming the Brazilian kept her on her toes throughout the competition.
“I’ve never had an athlete so close,” she said. “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.”
Biles won three gold medals and one silver in a remarkable Olympic campaign that saw her become the most decorated American female gymnast in history.
