Here’s Why NFL Star Myles Garrett Is at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Olympic Games are considered the pinnacle of competition for most sports, but one top athlete is in Milan this year to spectate instead of participate.
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett has been spotted at several snowboarding events during this year's Winter Games, leading some fans to wonder why he's on the other side of the planet after a great NFL season.
Garrett is coming off one of the greatest seasons by a pass rusher in NFL history, but he's in Milan to see if someone else can make history of their own. The Browns star is at the Olympics to support his girlfriend, a member of Team USA and one of the world's most impressive athletes in her own right.
Garrett is dating American snowboarder Chloe Kim, who is in pursuit of her third consecutive gold medal in the women's halfpipe event. Kim won her first gold medal at only 17 years old in Pyeongchang, and she followed it up with a repeat performance in Beijing in 2022.
Myles Garrett flew to Italy to support Chloe Kim, his Olympic Gold Medalist girlfriend, at the Winter Olympics ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/bGOAvq44KF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2026
Chloe Kim Looks To Make Olympic History
A win in this year's halfpipe would put Kim into a category of her own, as the first snowboarder to win three straight gold medals in halfpipe, regardless of gender. To make matters even more impressive, Kim is in Milan just weeks after dislocating her shoulder and injuring her labrum.
"I haven't gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that's OK," she told Olympics.com ahead of her attempt at history on Thursday.
"It's funny, I've been doing this for so long, and every season I've met different challenges. But again, I'm so grateful that I will be good to go for the Olympics. I'm so grateful to be able to do this even though the lows can get pretty damn low. Excited for a week of exploration!"
Garrett in Italy to Support Kim
A win in Milan would put Kim on equal footing with fellow American Shaun White, who is considered by many to be the greatest snowboarder of all time. White won three Olympic golds in the halfpipe event, but did not do so in successive Olympic games.
Garrett is making the best use of his time in Italy, taking photos to commemorate the moment as his girlfriend competes. "I got her whole run," he said after she finished first in qualifying for the final event.
"She's amazing," Garrett added, predicting that Kim would be able to make history on Thursday evening. "She's going to do it. She's the best."