Simone Biles took home the first ESPY award of the night on Wednesday but the Olympic legend sparked fury with her acceptance speech.
The gymnast, 28, who had put on a loved-up display with NFL husband Jonathan Owens on the red carpet earlier in the evening, won the award for Best Championship Performance as the biggest names in sport gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The seven-time gold medalist opened her speech by offering prayers to those who lost their lives in the tragic fatal floods in Texas earlier this month.
However, it was one particular eyebrow-raising comment that left fans fuming on social media.
‘That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men. So thank you guys so much,’ she began.
She continued to thank her support network before dropping the controversial concluding comment. ‘I believe in the power of sport, the power of us, and, of course, the power of she,’ Biles added.
Olympian Simone Biles took home the first ESPY award of the night on Wednesday
The Olympic legend sparked fury after making a gender swipe in her acceptance speech
The comment came weeks after the USA hero’s feud with Riley Gaines over trans athletes
Her reference to the ‘power of she’, as well as her taking the time to highlight the fact she beat out a number of male athletes for the award, stirred controversy online after it came just weeks after she found herself embroiled in a bitter spat with Riley Gaines over transgender athletes.
‘@Simone_Biles wins the first award, and still the only thing she can talk about is gender lmaooo #ESPYS2025,’ one user wrote.
A second added: ‘Simone Biles says she believes in the power of she but totally cool with dudes playing against women and taking opportunities from them #ESPYS2025’
‘Hahah Simone biles wins for best championship moment? This is the girl that wants trans women to participate in women’s sports, got it,’ another chimed in.
‘Simone Biles is woke trash. She is ok with biological males competing with biological females in sports. This is why she won an ESPY. The ESPY’S are a joke anyway,’ wrote another.
Meanwhile, one user questioned: ‘Did @Simone_Biles just make a comment about winning an award with all men as being a shock? Hmm.. I didn’t think men and women was any different to compete against?’
‘Simone Biles said she’s surprised she got an award in a category of all men. I figured you’d be used to it by now. After all, you love the transistors!’ said another, taking aim at the Olympic hero.
‘Ironic that @Simone_Biles references being the winner in a category of only men…. Yet she won’t defend/protect girls’ sports,’ added one user.
Her reference to the ‘power of she’ stirred controversy among social media users on X
Last month, Biles attacked conservative activist Gaines for her anti-trans campaigning earlier this month, telling the former swimmer to ‘bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.’
Biles initially sparked her feud with Gaines when the OutKick host criticized a Minnesota high school softball team for competing with a trans pitcher. During her swimming career, Gaines competed against trans athlete Lia Thomas at an NCAA meet in Atlanta, tying for fifth.
‘You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,’ Biles wrote on X after Gaines called out the Minnesota team.
‘You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports.
‘Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!! But instead… You bully them… One things for sure is no one in sports is safe with you around!!!!!’
Four days later, Biles publicly apologized on X, writing: ‘I wanted to follow up from my last tweets. I’ve always believed competitive equity & inclusivity are both essential in sport.
‘The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles, which often leads to frustration and heated exchanges, and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.’
In a lengthy apology, Biles also admitted she didn’t have the answers on how to include trans athletes in sports in a way that keeps everyone happy – seemingly acknowledging how polarazing her criticism of Gaines had been.
The gymnast shares a kiss with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, after her win
Biles earned the award after claiming three golds and a silver in last summer’s Olympics
During her acceptance speech Wednesday, the Team USA icon also offered her heartfelt condolences to those who were tragically killed by the devastating July 4 floods in Texas.
‘I first want to talk and offer my condolences and prayers to all those impacted by the devastating flash flooding on July 4th in central Texas. Words can’t replace the pain, but our hearts are with you during this tragic time,’ she added.
‘I’m honored to receive this award. The recognition means more than you guys know. I would like to thank the people who have stood with me on this journey, my teammates, my competitors, my coaches, family and fans who have lifted me up every step of the way.
‘I wouldn’t be standing here without all of you. I also proudly share this award with my team of supporters, having a strong support system who are willing to show up for you, not just when you are winning, but when you are struggling, too, is really important.’
Biles claimed the victory, beating out Steph Curry, Freddie Freeman and Rory McIlroy, after claiming three golds and a silver in last summer’s Olympics.
Biles triumphed on the Olympic stage in Paris as she completed a sensational comeback three years on from suffered the ‘twisties’ a the Tokyo Games.
Later in the evening, Biles also scooped up the award for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports, claiming the prize over fellow Olympians Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, and WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.
The gymnastic legend opted to keep her second speech short and sweet, saying: ‘Thank you again. Thank you to ESPN for highlighting women’s sports and congratulations to all the other nominees. Just thank you.’
