CLEVELAND — In a heartwarming crossover of sports worlds, two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim celebrated her boyfriend Myles Garrett's historic achievement on Sunday, as the Cleveland Browns defensive end shattered the NFL's single-season sack record during a 24-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Garrett, entering the season finale with 21.5 sacks, needed just one more to surpass the previous mark of 22.5, a record previously shared by New York Giants legend Michael Strahan from the 2001 season and Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt in 2021. Strahan's accomplishment came during a 16-game schedule, while Watt's was in the modern 17-game era, adding layers of context to Garrett's feat in what has become a 17-game grind for NFL players.
With just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter on a first-and-10 play at the Browns' 45-yard line, Garrett sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, securing his 22.5th takedown of the season and etching his name into NFL history. Teammates hoisted Garrett on their shoulders in celebration, a moment captured by photographers and broadcast nationwide.
Following the game, Kim, the 25-year-old snowboarding sensation, took to her Instagram Stories to express her pride. She posted a photo of a beaming Garrett holding a plate of homemade cinnamon rolls she had baked for him, captioning it, "Proud of you!!" Kim added, "Baking [you] all the cinnamon rolls your heart desires!!" accompanied by a heart emoji, showcasing the couple's supportive dynamic amid their high-profile athletic careers.
Garrett reflected on the grueling path to the record in his post-game interview, saying, "It was everything I expected. It was so tough. I knew they were going to make it difficult." He noted the Bengals' strategy to limit his opportunities, adding, "I don’t think I saw more than three singles on a real drop-back the whole game. And I just knew that if I did, I have to make that moment count. And the feeling couldn’t be better."
The Browns' win, however, came too late to alter their playoff hopes, as Cleveland finished the season with a 5-12 record, missing the postseason for the second straight year. The defeat also marked the end of an era for the franchise, with head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed after six seasons at the helm, according to team announcements on Monday.
Garrett's performance capped a dominant individual season that saw him earn his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and solidify his status as one of the league's premier pass rushers. Drafted first overall by the Browns in 2017 out of Texas A&M, the 28-year-old has amassed 98.5 career sacks, including a league-leading 16 in 2023 before this record-breaking campaign.
Meanwhile, Kim's gesture highlights the couple's relationship, which has been public since they were first spotted together at events like the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2025 Red Carpet at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan, on May 25, 2025. The pair, both elite athletes in their respective sports, have balanced their romance with demanding training schedules—Garrett in the NFL's physical trenches and Kim preparing for snowboarding's aerial acrobatics.
Kim's own athletic legacy is equally impressive. At just 17, she became the youngest woman to win Olympic gold in snowboarding halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Games in South Korea, where she finished a dominant 10 points ahead of second place. She defended her title four years later at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, landing back-to-back 1080s to become the first female snowboarder to achieve the feat in Olympic competition.
Now, as Kim eyes a potential three-peat at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy—where the opening ceremony is set for February 6—expectations are sky-high. The halfpipe event, known for its high-flying tricks and intense competition, will test whether the California native can extend her reign atop the sport.
The intersection of Kim and Garrett's worlds underscores a broader trend in sports: the blending of personal lives with professional triumphs in the age of social media. Fans flooded Kim's post with congratulations, turning a simple Instagram Story into a viral moment that bridged NFL and Olympic audiences.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, meanwhile, expressed frustration over a referees' decision to stop play immediately after Garrett's record-breaking sack, allowing the Browns to run out the clock without further risk. Taylor fumed in his press conference, though specifics on the call were not detailed in immediate reports. The incident added a layer of controversy to an otherwise celebratory night for Garrett.
Looking ahead, Garrett's focus shifts to the Browns' offseason rebuild under new leadership, with the team holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His record could position him for Defensive Player of the Year honors, a accolade he has yet to claim despite consistent excellence.
For Kim, the road to Italy involves rigorous training camps and competitions leading into the Olympics. Her support for Garrett serves as a reminder of the personal motivations that fuel elite performers, even as she chases her own slice of history on the halfpipe.
In the end, Sunday's events at Paycor Stadium not only crowned Garrett as the NFL's new sack king but also illuminated the power of partnership in the high-stakes world of professional sports. As both athletes continue their journeys, their shared story of achievement and affection resonates far beyond the field or the slopes.