MILAN, Italy — Fresh off a unanimous vote for his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett has touched down in Italy. The 30-year-old edge rusher traded the gridiron for the Italian Alps this week, arriving just in time to support his girlfriend, Chloe Kim, as she attempts to become the first snowboarder in history to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
From the Gridiron to the Halfpipe
Garrett’s arrival in Milan follows a whirlwind week that began at the NFL Honors and a brief stop at Super Bowl LX Radio Row in Santa Clara. After witnessing the season’s conclusion, Garrett spent less than 12 hours at his home in Wadsworth, Ohio, before boarding a flight to Europe. His mission: serving as the “rock” for Kim, who dominated Wednesday’s qualifying round with a staggering score of 90.25.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Kim. At 25, the California native is battling a torn labrum suffered in January—an injury that nearly sidelined her Olympic dreams. Despite the stabilize-brace on her shoulder, Kim looked untouchable in the qualifiers, clearing the second-place rider by three full points. If she secures gold in Thursday night’s final, she will cement her legacy as the undisputed GOAT of women’s snowboarding, adding to her 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing titles.
“She’s always calling to see how I’m doing during the season, and I’m doing the same right now—checking on her emotionally and physically. I’m just trying to be her rock because throughout the year, she’s mine.” — Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns Defensive End
A Historic 2025 for the Browns’ Anchor
While Kim is the focus in Milan, Garrett is coming off a season for the ages. In 2025, he silenced any lingering trade rumors by shattering the NFL single-season sack record, logging 23.0 sacks and leading the league in tackles for loss. This dominance followed a massive $204.8 million contract extension signed in March 2025, which carries him through the 2030 season and solidified him as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the league at the time of signing.
The couple, who made their public debut at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Japan last May, have become the premier power duo in sports. Kim was a fixture at Browns games throughout the 2025-26 campaign, notably seen supporting Garrett during the Week 18 game where he broke the sack record against the Bengals. Now, the roles are reversed as Garrett takes his place at the top of the Livigno Snow Park halfpipe.
What’s Next: The Gold Medal Final
The women’s snowboard halfpipe final is scheduled for Thursday night. Kim will be the last rider to drop, a tactical advantage she earned by finishing as the top qualifier. For Garrett, the trip represents a rare moment of peace before the NFL offseason programs begin. For Kim, it is the final hurdle in a four-year journey toward a “three-peat” that would place her among the most elite athletes in Winter Olympic history.
