NFL Veteran Mel Owens Takes Center Stage on Golden Bachelor Season 2
Look, I don’t *want* to be the one to break it to you, but the network has decided retired NFL linebacker Mel Owens is their pick for The Golden Bachelor Season 2—and yes, you read that correctly. ABC confirmed on April 22, 2025, that this 61‑year‑old former LA Rams standout will swap the field for roses in search of love. I told you so: when reality TV runs out of fresh faces, it turns to ex‑athletes.
Here’s the low‑down, and I’ll try to keep it brief. Owens spent eight seasons in The League after being drafted in 1984 out of the University of Miami, racking up a reputation for grit and leadership (TMZ, People). Fast‑forward a few decades: his wife, Debbie, tragically passed away in 2012, leaving him a single dad of four. If you thought your dating life was complicated, spare a thought for this guy.
ABC’s official press release notes that production on Season 2 will kick off this summer, with the typical rose ceremonies and “exotic” group dates we’ve come to expect—same old, same old, but now with orthopedic shoes. Rumor has it some episodes might shoot in scenic locales like Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe (Variety). And yes, there will be 12 eligible Golden Bachelorettes, all over 60, so they can complain about creaky knees together.
Mel Owens issued a statement, saying he’s ready for “new adventures” and “real connections,” which sounds suspiciously like what every Bachelor says before staging a fake proposal. Still, give the guy credit: he’s survived pro football and widowhood, so a few awkward cocktail hours should be a breeze. According to People, producers promise to highlight his “warmth, wit, and life lessons,” though I remain skeptical that airing your personal grief for ratings counts as wisdom.
If you haven’t joined the Golden Bachelor craze yet, now’s your chance to see whether Mel can guard his heart like he once guarded running backs. Will he find love among the rose ceremonies or ghost everyone like a second‑string linebacker? Stay tuned, because I doubt this will end in anything less than a mess.
And that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things—especially when reality TV collides with retired sports heroes.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, People Magazine, ABC Official Press Release
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
