Olympic legend Simone Biles made headlines with an award acceptance speech that ignited the anger of sports fans.

The 28-year-old gymnast made a gender comment after winning an ESPY award, raising eyebrows just weeks after a very public feud with former swimmer Riley Gaines over transgender athletes.

During Wednesday’s Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly event at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Biles was awarded Best Championship Performance for her 2024 Olympics all-around gold medal. The Texas native gave a nod to victims of recent deadly flooding before going on to deliver her acceptance remarks.

(Video Credit: ESPN)

“That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men. So thank you guys so much,” she said to cheers and applause.

Biles ironically beat out the men in the category, including Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, and golfer Rory McIlroy.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” Biles continued. “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, my family, and my fans who have lifted me up every step of the way. I wouldn’t be standing here without all of you.”

She added that she will “proudly share this award with my team of supporters.”

“Having a strong support system that understands your dreams, who are willing to show up for you, not just when you’re winning, but when you’re struggling, too, is really important,” Biles said. “My sincere gratitude, appreciation, and love to all of you who have stood with me on this magical journey, all the highs, lows, twists, and turns along the way.”

Simone Biles is HER pic.twitter.com/UlxxGdSryf

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 17, 2025

“I believe in the power of sport, the power of us, and, of course, the power of she,” concluded Biles, who wore a custom Athleta dress and appeared at the ceremony with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens.

The gender remark sparked many reactions on social media, and plenty of X users criticized the seven-time gold medalist who also took home the award for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports.

all due respect to her, but when u start ur speech by “im surprised i won in a category of men.” while she vouched for biological men playing in women’s sports..u do the math bc it ain’t adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing right….

— Tyler (@tylerrr_24) July 17, 2025

The #ESPYS2025 are already a joke! Steph in the gold medal game was a million times better than Simone “I hate women” Biles! Of course the one woman in the category wins! What a joke

— Philips Votto (@PhilipsCrowder) July 17, 2025

And the ESPY for most awkward acceptance speech ever bc you still feel awkward af about how you said men should compete against women goes to… Simone Biles. pic.twitter.com/Uv7HjwsJEw

— Lynden Blake (@LyndenBlake) July 17, 2025

Wouldn’t it be funny if they had put a dude in the best athlete women’s sports category so Simone Biles couldn’t win?

— Mara (@SoulofSowell) July 17, 2025

The woketard Simone Biles won an ESPY award and the very first thing out of her mouth was to preach about women being held back by men. Ummm what?!‍

She doesn’t even realize how disgustingly hypocritical it is that she stands for MEN playing in WOMEN’S sports.
She doesn’t… pic.twitter.com/16SRjQfJfX

— MAGADONIAN PokéMom (@Pokemom2R) July 17, 2025

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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