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Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett on Simone Biles' Olympics withdrawal: 'I don’t like that she did it, but I believe that it took a lot of courage'

Speaking to reporters, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett discussed Simone Biles' withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics.

BEREA, Ohio — Despite their differences in physical stature, Myles Garrett and Simone Biles have plenty in common. After all, both are from Texas -- Garrett is from Arlington and Biles' hometown Spring -- and both are considered to be arguably the best at what they do.

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So as the Cleveland Browns took the practice field for their first day of training camp on Wednesday, their star defensive end made for a natural person to ask about the biggest story in sports: Biles' decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health reasons.

"I know a lot of people have differing opinions on that with her being the best and saying it and admitting it openly. She feels like she's the best and I agree," Garrett said of Biles before practice. "I don’t like that she did it, but I believe that it took a lot of courage to do that, admitting that mentally she didn't feel like she was there and it was affecting her physical performance." 

Biles' decision to withdraw has been a polarizing one. While some have pointed to it as a breakthrough moment for mental health awareness, others have opined that the 24-year-old gymnast let down her teammates and even her country by withdrawing.

As a personal fan of Biles, Garrett understands any disappointment one might have in not being able to see her perform. But ultimately, the 2020 first-team All-Pro's viewpoint on the situation is one of empathy.

"It hurts to see that, but as a competitor, I wanted her to just go through it, tough through it," he said. "But as a person, as a human being, you've got to be able to know when you've reached your limit and be able to empathize with that."

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