Jason Kelce thought Simone Biles would FAIL at the Olympics – while Travis praises her for Paris glory: ‘America is so proud’
Jason Kelce admits Simone Biles proved him wrong at last summer’s Olympics after writing off the American gymnast because of her age.
Three years after Biles withdrew from several events in Tokyo to focus on her mental health, she made a phenomenal return to the Olympic stage in Paris.
This time around, the 27-year-old walked away with three gold medals and one silver; a return that cemented her as the most decorated American gymnast of all time with a total of 41 medals at the Olympic Games (11) and the World Championships (30).
Yet not everyone was convinced that she would succeed in the French capital.
In the first episode of a new series by him and his brother Travis New Heights PodcastJason, who was in Paris with his wife Kylie this summer, admitted he had doubts about Biles’ chances at the Olympics, given that she is older than the age normally considered to be an elite athlete.
Jason Kelce admits Simone Biles proved him wrong at this summer’s Olympics after writing off the American gymnast because of her age
“We were watching each girl do the floor exercise, and Simone Biles was the last person,” Kelce recalled. “And I thought, ‘You know, she’s getting older, we’ll see what she looks like.'”
Travis expressed disbelief that his brother thought Biles would fail in Paris, but Jason continued, “I thought so! When you look at the age of gymnasts, they’re usually not in their mid-20s or late 20s. They’re usually young. They usually don’t age well and don’t hold up well later in life.”
His Kansas City Chiefs star brother then noted that Simone could be considered an “anomaly” in that sense — something he now fully agrees with.
“You’re right, she’s an exception because she jumped higher than the rest and it wasn’t even that close,” Jason admitted.
While the former Philadelphia Eagles center doubted her, the Kelce brothers were both thrilled for Biles after she banished the demons of Tokyo and captured Olympic glory once again.
Biles became the most decorated American gymnast of all time after winning three gold medals and a silver medal in Paris
Jason, who attended the Games with his wife Kylie (left), says he had written Simone off going into it.
His brother Travis praised Biles for making America “so proud” during this summer’s Olympic Games
Travis added: ‘It’s such a good feeling story, knowing what’s happened in the past and everything she’s been through, to make sure she comes back and wins a medal. She’s the best man, I’m so happy for her.
“And… America is so proud of her husband.”
Now that the Olympics are behind us, Biles recently admitted that she was looking forward to finishing the gymnastics competition and felt relieved after her final event.
The seven-time gold medalist said she was nervous when she stepped onto the mat, which at times proved to be a stressful experience.
“When I come out, it’s like a breath of fresh air. I feel so much better now that it’s over, because you know how stressful it is,” she said. Olympic Games.com.
“So I couldn’t wait to get done,” Biles continued. “But I still tried to cherish every moment along the way.”