Gerry Turner, step aside. A fresh face has emerged as the new star of the Bachelor franchise. Meet Mel Owens, a retired NFL player who transitioned from his college football days at the University of Michigan to a linebacker role with the Los Angeles Rams for nearly a decade.
Although the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor concluded with lead Gerry Turner and winner Theresa Nist parting ways, the spin-off struck a chord with audiences. Riding on the success of The Golden Bachelorette‘s first season, Disney Entertainment Television (DET) wasted no time in revealing the latest star of The Golden Bachelor. And to everyone’s surprise, it’s not a former Golden contestant as many had speculated.
“Following a groundbreaking debut, The Golden Bachelor is making a comeback on ABC and Hulu. Mel Owens, a 66-year-old ex-NFL player turned lawyer, is gearing up for his turn as the show’s second Golden Bachelor,” DET disclosed in a press statement released on Tuesday, April 22.
“Born and raised in a close-knit Midwestern family in Detroit, Owens’ athleticism shone through from
an early age. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he was selected as the ninth overall
pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the LA Rams,” the release continued. “Following his retirement from football, Owens transitioned into a career in law and moved to Orange County, California, dedicating himself to helping others — particularly those seeking justice for sports-related injuries. It was during this time that he met his first love, and together they had two sons. While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams.”
The release also explained that “after several years as a devoted dad, Owens is ready to rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship — sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple.”
So what does Owens hope to find on his Golden Bachelor journey?
“He’s eager to meet someone who shares this vision and finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years,” per DET.
For those who need a reminder of just how successful Turner’s Golden Bachelor season was, DET shared that Season 1 “averaged 10.4 million viewers after the first 35 days
across platforms” and was the strongest average for any season of an ABC unscripted series since The Bachelor‘s 2019-2020 season.
While premiere date, cast, and other exciting details about The Golden Bachelor Season 2 have yet to be announced, fans and franchise alum can officially get excited about the next chapter in ABC’s Golden Era. Will Owens’ Golden Bachelor journey end in a touchdown? We’ll have to tune in!
The Golden Bachelor is now streaming on Hulu.
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