SHE WAITS FOR YEARS TO HAVE THE LAST WORD: Simone Biles Breaks Her Silence on Charlie Kirk — and Mario Cristobal’s Five Words Steal the Spotlight
For years, she remained silent. In 2021, when conservative activist Charlie Kirk blasted Simone Biles during the Tokyo Olympics, branding her a “national disgrace” after she withdrew from competitions to protect her mental health, the world waited for her response. It never came. Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, chose dignity over public confrontation, focusing on healing, her career, and her life.
Now, in the wake of Kirk’s sudden death, Biles has finally spoken. Her emotional post not only revisited the pain his words caused but also reignited a cultural conversation about respect, mental health, and the devastating power of public ridicule. Yet in an unexpected twist, another voice has emerged in the story — Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal. His five-word message to Biles has captivated fans everywhere, adding another powerful layer to what many are calling one of the most necessary reckonings in sports history.
The Original Wound: 2021
The origins of this story lie in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, when Biles stunned the sporting world by withdrawing from key events, citing mental health challenges and the dangerous condition known as the “twisties.” Her decision was widely praised by athletes and advocates for destigmatizing mental health, but not everyone was supportive.
Charlie Kirk launched one of the harshest attacks. On his show, he called Biles “selfish,” “immature,” and worst of all, a “national disgrace.” His words, amplified by millions of listeners, spread like wildfire. While Biles carried herself with composure, insiders later revealed how deeply those attacks cut.
Simone Biles Finally Responds
Four years later, in 2025, following Kirk’s death, Biles broke her silence in a heartfelt Instagram post:
“His words haunted me for years. They made me question my worth, my strength, even my right to call myself a champion. I carried that pain quietly. Today, I release it. No one should have to endure ridicule that follows you into your darkest moments. I survived. But it was never easy.”
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Millions of fans called it the bravest statement ever made by an athlete. Journalists hailed it as “the last word Simone always deserved to have.” Social media exploded with hashtags like #WeStandWithSimone and #NationalTreasure.
What made Biles’s post even more striking was its tone. She did not gloat or celebrate Kirk’s death. Instead, she simply shared her pain and her healing. It was honest, unflinching, and deeply human.
Enter Mario Cristobal
While Biles’s words dominated the headlines, the story took an unexpected turn when Mario Cristobal, head coach of the Miami Hurricanes football program, added his voice to the conversation. Known for his intensity on the field and passionate defense of his players, Cristobal is not usually part of gymnastics discourse. Yet, his simple five-word message to Simone Biles resonated across the sporting world.
On X (formerly Twitter), Cristobal wrote:
“Your courage inspires us all.”
Fans Admire the Five Words
The reaction was electric. In a culture where public statements from high-profile coaches are often long-winded or carefully scripted, Cristobal’s brevity and sincerity stood out. Thousands of fans reposted the message, with many noting how unusual it was for a football coach — especially one known for his gruff persona — to speak so vulnerably about an athlete from another sport.
One fan wrote: “Cristobal didn’t need a speech. Those five words said everything. Simone is an inspiration to all athletes.”
Another commented: “Football, gymnastics, it doesn’t matter. Courage is courage. Cristobal showed respect where it matters most.”
A Cross-Sport Moment of Unity
Cristobal’s support highlighted something bigger: the growing solidarity among athletes and coaches across sports when it comes to mental health and respect. In recent years, stars like Naomi Osaka, Michael Phelps, and Dak Prescott have opened up about their struggles, helping shift the conversation from stigma to understanding.
For a football coach — in a sport often associated with toughness and silence about vulnerability — to step forward with admiration for Biles was seen as groundbreaking. His five words helped amplify Biles’s message, bridging the gap between two very different sports.
Why It Matters
This moment is not just about a gymnast responding to criticism years later. It is about the intersection of sports, media, and humanity. Kirk’s words in 2021 reflected a culture quick to tear down athletes who reveal vulnerability. Biles’s post represents the courage to reclaim her narrative. Cristobal’s message underscores the importance of empathy and solidarity in today’s sporting world.
By speaking out, Biles showed that silence is not weakness — sometimes it’s a strategy for survival. And by stepping in with support, Cristobal reminded the world that respect is universal.
A Turning Point in Sports Culture
Millions are calling this sequence of events the most necessary response in sports history. Not because it was loud or vengeful, but because it was honest. Biles gave a voice to her pain, and Cristobal’s gesture showed that the broader sports community was listening.
Together, they created a moment of unity that transcended gymnastics and football. It was a reminder that athletes are not just performers but human beings, carrying struggles that deserve compassion.
Conclusion: The Last Word, At Last
Simone Biles waited years to have the last word — and when it came, it was devastating in its honesty and healing in its power. Her emotional post reminded the world that no champion is immune to pain, but no one should have to carry it in silence.
And while her words will be remembered for years, so too will Mario Cristobal’s five-word message: “Your courage inspires us all.”
In that moment, two very different worlds — gymnastics and football — came together in respect, admiration, and a shared belief in the power of courage.
