Member-only story
Is Simone Biles a National Embarrassment or a Mental Health Champion?
Leadership comes with pressure
When Simone Biles returns home to her hometown of Houston some think a party should be held in her honor. Others, not so much. One Texas Attorney General says she’s an embarrassment. Biles grew up in Spring, Texas, just a short drive from Houston. She has 25 world medals; 19 of those are gold.
She’s a true athlete, and she knows her limits.
Biles has also created a renowned training facility and uses her abilities to help and train others to reach their potential. Elite athletes move to Texas to train with Biles. She’s created a name and a reputation for herself. But, for all the good she’s done, at least one politician is calling her to step it up another notch.
Attorney General Aaron Reitz calls Biles a “national embarrassment.” He says she’s “childish,” comparing her to Kerri Strug, who went back to the mats after an injury and stuck her landing in 1996, earning Team USA a gold medal.
Outrage erupted on Twitter.