Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight

PARIS (AP) — Every single thing Simone Biles has done at the Paris Olympics has been spotlighted: four medals, an online feud with a former teammate and a social media post that appeared to take a swipe at presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Her TikToks regularly draw millions of views — 14.4 million have watched her “Get Ready with Me” makeup application before the all-around finals — and her revelation that she’d gotten Botox for her 27th birthday made headlines. She also had a clap back at trolls who criticized her husband for wearing one of her gold medals: "like y’all are so (expletive) miserable. leave us alone,” she wrote.

When she bowed in a show of sportsmanship to rival Rebeca Andrade, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey branded it disgusting and was overwhelmingly roasted on the internet.

Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all-time and America’s golden girl. She uses her platform to normalize discussions about mental health and opened the topic to widespread conversation at the Tokyo Games when she pulled out of some events over concern about her headspace. Last week, she revealed she had therapy sessions the morning of some Paris events.

Biles has a unique ability to retain her staying power beyond Olympic cycles, in part because of her remarkable career achievements. But it is also her authenticity that has made her relatable, inspirational and liked by millions around the world.

“Part of it is indeed the talent. But part of it is the story,” said Mark Conrad, a Fordham University professor of law and ethics and director of the Sports Business Initiative, Gabelli School of Business.

“She was taken from a foster care situation and adopted by her grandparents, she didn't come from privilege,” Conrad continued. “I think people really admire her personality, her toughness and ability. And, more than anything, how she came back from what happened in Tokyo was extremely inspirational.”

Biles in Tokyo three years ago developed “The Twisties,” which is a sudden loss of air awareness during a routine. For her own safety, she pulled out of several events and started a dialogue on the mental health struggles of elite athletes.

She was widely supported in doing so, but a recent clip re-emerged of JD Vance, Trump's selection for vice president on the Republican ticket, criticizing the praise Biles received.

“I think it reflects pretty poorly on our sort of therapeutic society that we try to praise people, not for moments of strength, not for moments of heroism, but for their weakest moments,” Vance, who was running for the Senate, said at the time.

If Biles was stung by the attacks, she never let on, and her willingness to share her life on social media indicates she really doesn't care what people think about her or her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens.

She's shown an ability to withstand every setback despite the pressures of constant scrutiny, said John Baick, a professor of history at Western New England University.

“Considering what she went through in Tokyo, when people attacked her not only as weak, but as a traitor, and there were racial overtones to those attacks, she had seemed to be someone who kept a lot of her personal opinions personal,” Baick said. "But since Tokyo, she has been very cognizant of her place as an American, as an African American, as an African American woman — these multiple identities and what she is allowed to be.

“I think she is on a balance beam every minute of every day,” he continued. “It must take an enormous amount of pressure. For her it is 24/7, it is not just a couple of seconds when we are watching what she does.”

Statistics show just how bright the spotlight is on Biles. Social media management and analytics software Sprout Social found that her TikTok showing Team USA's gold medals from team competition is her most highly engaged post to date with nearly 50 million views and a media value of $12.88 million.

NBC, the official broadcast partner of the Olympics, also benefits from Biles. It said the day the United States won gold in team competition, it posted a total audience delivery of 34.7 million viewers across all NBC platforms. That nearly doubled the same day of competition for the Tokyo Olympics, the network said.

Her reach is so great that on Tuesday, former teammate MyKayla Skinner posted a video begging Biles to call off the dogs because of death threats she was receiving over their feud.

So perhaps Biles was feeling liberated when she seemed to enter the fray of the U.S. presidential race last week with what appeared to be a clap back at Trump’s comment about “Black jobs.”

“I love my black job,” Biles posted on social media in response to a post from singer Ricky Davila, who had said: “Iconic photo of the GOAT mastering her black job and collecting Gold Medals.” (Biles wore a diamond encrusted goat pendant around her neck during competition.)

Biles' post came hours after she held off Andrade of Brazil to win the all-around final, and it was reposted by LeBron James, among 150,000 others.

Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, argued during his June debate with Democratic President Joe Biden that migrants are taking “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs” from Americans. Trump’s critics called it a racist and insulting attempt to expand his appeal beyond his white conservative base.

Biles had never before waded into the political landscape and it is unclear if she will once the Olympics are over. And, there's no telling if Biles will make a presidential endorsement or what currency it might carry.

While she may not change the minds of any decided voters, a Biles endorsement could encourage some who might not have planned to vote to head to the polls. It's possible her post-Paris life could consist of fundraising or campaigning.

T. Bettina Cornwell, the Philip H. Knight Chair at the University of Oregon and head of the department of marketing, believes Biles can have some sway should she choose to publicly back a candidate.

“Presidential endorsements by respected public personalities carry weight, no matter their area of expertise. Voters look at people living respected lives, doing their best, and doing the right things for community and society,” Cornwell said. “Hearing their voices matter. If Simone Biles gave a presidential endorsement, it would have currency.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Simone Biles, of United States, performs on the beam during the women's artistic gymnastics team finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Simone Biles, of the United States, celebrates after performing on the floor during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Simone Biles, of the United States, waits for her score on the floor during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Simone Biles, of the United States, after receiving her score on the vault during the women's artistic gymnastics individual vault finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Simone Biles, of the United States, is surrounded by media during the women's artistic gymnastics individual balance beam finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Simone Biles, of the United States, smiles after she performs on the floor during the women's artistic gymnastics individual floor finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Simone Biles, of the United States, celebrates with teammate Suni Lee, left, after Biles won gold and Lee won bronze in the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Simone Biles, of the United States, holds up her medals after the women's artistic gymnastics individual apparatus finals Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Simone Biles, of the United States, celebrates after winning the gold medal during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Simone Biles, of the United States, is introduced during the women's artistic gymnastics individual vault finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Simone Biles, of the United States, smiles after completing her floor routine during the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Simone Biles of the United States competes on the balance beam during a women's artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Simone Biles, of United States, performs on the beam during the women's artistic gymnastics team finals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Coming off a poor season and playing with a young team, the New York Giants needed a lot of things to go right to turn things around in Brian Daboll’s third season.

So far they are heading the wrong way. The Minnesota Vikings outplayed them in a season-opening 28-6 loss and the Giants fell 21-18 to the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The Giants have not made the playoffs after starting 0-2 since Tom Coughlin led New York to a championship in the 2007 season.

This is New York's ninth 0-2 start since 2013 and none has turned out well. The best of that bunch was a 7-9 finish in '13.

“So again, what really happened 10 years ago or last year, like I’ve always said, really has no bearing on anything this season,” Daboll said Monday. “I thought we made some improvements in a lot of areas. Need to continue to improve on the things that we’re not doing well at this time and focus on the Cleveland Browns.”

The Giants almost won, despite allowing Jayden Daniels and the Commanders to run up 425 yards and hold the ball for more than 37 minutes.

Giants kicker Graham Gano injured a hamstring on the opening kickoff and did not play the rest of the game.

Punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point on the first touchdown and the offense failed on a couple of 2-point attempts.

Rookie Malik Nabers dropped a fourth down pass and Washington's Austin Seibert kicked a game-winning field goal on the final play.

Daboll actually has been through an 0-2 start and got a Super Bowl ring. He was an assistant under Bill Belichick in 2001 when the Patriots started 1-3 and won their first Super Bowl.

The offense rebounded after failing to score a touchdown in the loss to Vikings. Daniel Jones (16 of 28 for 178 yards) threw touchdown passes to Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. Running back Devin Singletary carried 16 times for 95 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line, which gave up five sacks last week, allowed one.

The run defense has struggled, giving up an average of 163 yards in two games. The Commanders ran for 215 yards Sunday led by Brian Robinson, who gained 133 yards with an 7.8-yard average.

Inside linebacker Micah McFadden led the team with 13 tackles and rookie cornerback Dru Phillips added 12, including seven solo. Each had a sack.

Second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt. The third-round draft pick in 2023 got a lot of time in training camp with the first team, but he has not been targeted this season in limited time. The bulk of the first-team reps for the wide receivers has gone to Nabers and veteran Darius Slayton.

Gano, who entered the game with a groin injury, pulled his hamstring chasing Austin Ekeler on a kickoff return and is out for a couple of weeks. Practice squad kicker Jude McAtamney will compete against a few free agents for the job this week.

21-49. Nabers become the youngest player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in a game. His mark is 21 years and 49 days. Gern Nagler was 21 years and 251 days old on Nov. 1, 1953, when he did it for the Chicago Cardinals.

Travel to Cleveland to face the Browns, who are coming off a road win in Jacksonville.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) celebrates his touchdown run against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) runs after a catch against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert (3) kicks a field goal against the New York Giants' Dru Phillips (22) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, right, runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil, left, defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (17) celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws an incomplete pass past Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) on a two point conversion attempt during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) reacts after missing a pass on fourth down against the Washington Commanders late in the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)