At the heart of a sunlit ceremony on May 12, 2025, the crowd at Washington University in St. Louis buzzed with energy. Families held bouquets, graduates beamed with hard-earned pride, and one of the most celebrated athletes in the world took the stage in a robe of black and green. Simone Biles — the seven-time Olympic gold medalist, survivor, advocate, and trailblazer — was there not to compete, but to speak. And speak she did. “People often refer to me as the GOAT,” she began, her voice calm yet resonant. “Not the animal, but the greatest of all time. I’m not going to lie, every once in a while, it does give me chills thinking about what I have accomplished in gymnastics. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret — being the GOAT was never the goal. All I ever wanted to be was the greatest Simone that I could be.” The crowd erupted in applause.
Away from the mat, Simone had been quietly achieving greatness in other ways — by investing in mental health awareness, by mentoring young gymnasts, by using her platform to elevate voices that too often go unheard. Her presence at the commencement wasn’t just symbolic; it was a statement of how high a life can soar with purpose, discipline, and vulnerability. As the ceremony wrapped and her honorary doctorate was conferred, Simone smiled — robe flowing, cap perfectly perched. Later that evening, she took to Instagram to share the moment.
“it’s Dr. Biles to you .” Simone wrote with a wink of humor and a spark of pride. Then followed a heartfelt message: “but in all seriousness ,thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the Graduates Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!” But even in moments of celebration, the internet rarely offers silence. Soon, her comment section filled — some with love, others with lectures. A few users took issue with her self-referencing as “Dr.,” pointing out that honorary degrees are symbolic and don’t entitle someone to use the title professionally.
“A honorary doctorate is a symbolic honor and doesn’t give the holder the right to sign “Doctor” or “Dr.”,” one user wrote. “It’s recognition of service to a career or society, but not in place of an earned doctorate.” It was the kind of moment that highlights the complexities of public life. While Simone had always aimed to be the best version of herself — not for titles or applause, but for purpose — the world around her remained ready to weigh in.
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