In an era dominated by calculated brand collaborations, highly curated public relations strategies, and high-profile direct message introductions, the romantic connection between Olympic snowboarding legend Chloe Kim and NFL All-Pro defensive disruptor Myles Garrett stands out.
Their relationship did not begin on a red carpet or through an agency-mediated introduction. Instead, it was initiated over a treatment table by a mutual physical therapist, progressed through a hilarious case of mistaken identity, and ultimately solidified around shared, low-key passions far removed from their respective athletic fields.
By analyzing the mechanics of their introduction, their navigation of intense public scrutiny, and the cross-disciplinary support they exhibit, we can extract profound insights into how elite performers build resilient partnerships.
This is the definitive narrative of how Chloe Kim and Myles Garrett met, resolved a legendary misunderstanding, and established a modern framework for mutual success.
The Matchmaker in the Training Room
Behind every historic partnership lies an unexpected catalyst. For Chloe Kim and Myles Garrett, that catalyst did not wear a suit or broker endorsement deals; he wore athletic trainers and managed rehabilitation schedules.
[ Chloe Kim ] [ Myles Garrett ]
(Olympic Snowboarder) (NFL All-Pro Edge Rusher)
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\---> [ Shared Physical Therapist ] <-----/
(Matchmaker since late 2024)
In late 2024, Chloe Kim was undergoing routine athletic maintenance and training. During a session, she was venting to her long-time physical therapist—a trusted professional she had worked with closely since 2018—about the frustrations of being single and navigating the dating landscape as an elite, globally recognized athlete.
Recognizing a unique alignment of personalities, values, and work ethic, the physical therapist realized he had the perfect counterpart in his client roster: Myles Garrett, the towering defensive force known as much for his cerebral interests off the field as his dominance on it.
The therapist quietly took on the role of matchmaker, pitching the idea of a connection to both parties. Given the demanding schedules of two world-class athletes, an immediate in-person meeting was impossible. To bridge the geographic and logistical gap, the therapist took a proactive step:
- He arranged an initial FaceTime call while Chloe was in the middle of a training block.
- The brief virtual introduction broke the ice, establishing an immediate, effortless rapport.
- Showing the decisive focus that defines his on-field play, Myles texted Chloe immediately after his practice that same afternoon.
This single interaction initiated a pattern of daily communication. However, a significant obstacle remained: Chloe’s complete lack of familiarity with professional football.
Because her life had been entirely consumed by extreme sports, global snow tours, and halfpipe progression, professional football was a foreign concept. She had no frame of reference for who Myles Garrett was, what position he played, or the sheer scale of his athletic footprint.
This knowledge gap set the stage for one of the most amusing misunderstandings in modern sports culture.
The “Martin Garrix” Incident at SoFi Stadium
When the mutual physical therapist invited Chloe to attend a game at SoFi Stadium between the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams, he pitched it as a casual opportunity to support his star client, Myles Garrett. Chloe readily agreed, but her lack of football knowledge led to a massive phonetic mix-up.
To Chloe, the name “Myles Garrett” registered as Martin Garrix, the world-famous Dutch electronic dance music (EDM) DJ and producer.
She headed to SoFi Stadium under the impression that she was attending a high-energy music festival or a special stadium performance.
The Scene-by-Scene Breakdown of a Classic Misunderstanding
- The Arrival: Chloe arrived at the massive SoFi Stadium complex expecting a concert setup, pyrotechnics, and a DJ booth. Instead, she was ushered into a stadium filled with football fans, shoulder pads, and goalposts.
- The First Half Confusion: Throughout the entire first half of the game, Chloe stood in her viewing area, scanning the sidelines with growing perplexity. She wondered why the “DJ” was not setting up behind a turntable and why there was no electronic music playing.
- The Accidental Betrayal: Because she was entirely unaware of which team Myles was on, Chloe spent a portion of the game accidentally cheering for the Los Angeles Rams—unwittingly rooting against her own date’s squad.
- The Growing Frustration: As the clock ticked down toward halftime, Chloe’s patience began to wear thin. She turned to her friend and expressed her annoyance, remarking that this DJ was “whack” and questioning why he was delaying his performance. She spent the entire third quarter waiting for a dramatic beat drop that would never come.
- The Realization: Finally, during the third quarter, her friend stepped in to clear up the confusion. Pointing down to the field, her friend explained that her date was not a 130-BPM electronic musician, but rather the 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive end currently dismantling the opposing team’s offensive line.
Chloe later recounted this story during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, laughing at her total lack of scouting before the date. This complete absence of athletic bias actually proved to be a major advantage. Free from the weight of expectations, their initial connection was entirely authentic.
Finding Solace in Anime and Shared Escapes
Once the initial confusion subsided, the two athletes faced the challenge of building a relationship across two entirely different sports worlds. The solution lay in their shared, low-key passions far away from the halfpipe and the gridiron.
Despite their contrasting athletic disciplines, Chloe and Myles discovered they shared a deep obsession with anime. Rather than spending their limited free time discussing training regimens or media obligations, they spent hours bonding over their favorite animated series, most notably the supernatural action series Jujutsu Kaisen.
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THE OFF-FIELD SANCTUARY
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[ Chloe Kim's World ] [ Myles Garrett's World ]
- Extreme Sports Focus - High-Pressure NFL Play
- Halfpipe & Winter Weather - Stadium Crowds & Turf
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v v
[ Shared Passion: Anime ]
- Mutual interest in Jujutsu Kaisen
- Low-key, private bonding
- Escape from athletic pressures
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For two individuals operating under intense public pressure, this shared interest served as a critical psychological escape hatch. It allowed them to interact simply as people, rather than as corporate brands or athletic icons.
To preserve this authenticity, they chose to keep their relationship entirely private for the first several months. They avoided public venues, dodged paparazzi, and kept their interactions offline, allowing their bond to mature without the pressure of public speculation.
When they finally decided to share their relationship with the world, they chose a venue that perfectly reflected their unique bond.
In May 2025, they made their official public debut—a “hard launch”—by walking the red carpet together at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo.
By debuting their relationship at an anime celebration in Japan rather than a traditional sports award show, they sent a clear message: their partnership was built on personal compatibility, not corporate marketing.
Supporting Each Other Through Blockbuster Moves and Athletic Challenges
As their relationship progressed, Chloe and Myles established a seamless support system that adapted to the intense demands of their professional careers. This support took many forms, from playful fashion statements to navigating major career shifts.
High-Profile Presence and Mutual Support
Myles has frequently been spotted wearing custom-designed jackets adorned with Chloe’s face, proudly showcasing his support for her snowboarding achievements.
Similarly, the couple has become a frequent fixture courtside at major sporting events in Los Angeles, maintaining a highly visible, yet remarkably grounded, public presence.
They also made a major joint appearance at the prestigious 2026 TIME100 Gala, solidifying their standing as a highly respected, influential pair.
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TIMELINE OF MAJOR EVENTS
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[ Late 2024 ] - Introduction via physical therapist
- The SoFi Stadium "Martin Garrix" incident
[ May 2025 ] - Official "hard launch" at Crunchyroll Awards
[ Early 2026 ] - Myles Garrett traded to the Los Angeles Rams
- Chloe finishes 2nd in Olympic halfpipe
[ April 2026 ] - Joint appearance at the TIME100 Gala
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Navigating the Los Angeles Rams Trade and Fan Speculation
In early 2026, the NFL landscape was reshaped by a blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams.
The trade was a massive corporate transaction, with the Rams reportedly offering a major package of draft capital to secure the elite edge rusher.
Almost immediately, passionate sports fanbases began speculating about the off-field factors behind the move.
Given Chloe’s deep ties to Southern California and their frequent public appearances in Los Angeles, rumors quickly spread on platforms like Reddit and Instagram that she had “orchestrated” the entire trade behind the scenes to bring Myles closer to her home base.
Chloe addressed these viral rumors head-on, firmly dismissing the idea that she had any hand in complex NFL front-office negotiations.
While she was thrilled to have him playing in Los Angeles, she made it clear that professional sports trades are decided by franchise executives, not personal relationships.
Professional Challenges and Resilience
The transition to Los Angeles brought fresh professional demands for both athletes:
- Athletic Setbacks: Around the same time as the trade, Chloe fell just short of achieving a historic Olympic three-peat, finishing second to South Korea’s rising star Choi Gaon in the women’s halfpipe.
- Managing Injuries: Meanwhile, Myles had to navigate the physical toll of a grueling NFL transition. During joint training camp practices with the Dallas Cowboys, Rams head coach Sean McVay had to hold Myles out of action due to minor knee swelling. Erring on the side of caution, McVay and the training staff chose to rest their star defensive end, who reported he was operating at roughly 85% capacity.
Throughout these professional challenges, their partnership has remained rock-solid. By maintaining a clear boundary between their public sports personas and their private lives, they have successfully weathered the pressures of trade speculation, competitive setbacks, and physical injuries.
Lessons for High-Profile Partnerships
The romantic journey of Chloe Kim and Myles Garrett offers several valuable takeaways for building strong, resilient partnerships under intense public scrutiny:
- Values Over Disciplines: True compatibility is not about sharing the same professional field, but about finding common ground outside of work. Bonding over anime allowed them to build a connection detached from their athletic achievements.
- The Power of the Authentic Debut: Rather than conforming to traditional public expectations, their debut at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards allowed them to define their partnership on their own terms.
- Constructive Boundary Setting: Dismissing viral trade rumors and keeping their early relationship private demonstrated the importance of protecting their personal bond from public noise.
- Reciprocal Professional Support: Whether wearing custom apparel or attending high-profile events like the TIME100 Gala, they consistently show up for one another.
