Who is Mel Owens? Former NFL player takes on 'The Golden Bachelor'

Former football player Mel Owens is stepping back onto the field− the dating field, that is − as ABC's newest "Golden Bachelor."

The former NFL linebacker, 66, who played for the Los Angeles Rams, is gearing up to "find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years" on Season 2 of "The Golden Bachelor."

While Owens' journey was off to a controversial start after he said during a podcast that he would be "cutting" any of the ABC reality dating show's female contestants who were 60 or older, he is now "ready to rediscover a love rooted in the simple joys of companionship," according to ABC.

Owens realizes his gaffe and has apologized repeatedly, calling his comments on the University of Michigan's college football podcast "way out of bounds" and a "mistake" in an interview with USA TODAY. The topic was also the main subject of the first half-hour of the Sept. 24 premiere when he was confronted by his potential partners several times as they walked up to the Bachelor mansion in their sparkly gowns.

The lawyer hopes viewers can forgive and watch the ride.

"I'd say tune in, give me a second chance," Owens told USA TODAY. "Make your own evaluation."

With "The Golden Bachelor" now underway and the first round of eliminations already done, here's what to know about Mel Owens.

Who is 'The Golden Bachelor'? Age, hometown, college

Season 2's Golden Bachelor is Mel Owens, 66, a former NFL veteran-turned-lawyer.

Owens was born and raised in Detroit and his "athleticism shone through from an early age," according to his bio on ABC.

Watch 'The Golden Bachelor' on Hulu

After graduating from the University of Michigan, where he played college football, Owens was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the LA Rams. Owens played for the Rams from 1981 to 1989 and mustered 26.5 sacks.

Upon his retirement from football, Owens began working as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, according to an interview with LA Rams. However, that didn't cut it for him, so he went back to school and trained as a lawyer, later specializing in sports injuries.

He met his "first love," when he was working as a lawyer, and together, they had two sons," Owens' ABC bio said, adding life later "took an unexpected turn" as his father, professional baseball player Walter Owens, passed and his marriage fell apart.

Who was Mel Owens' married to?

Owens married Fabiana Pimental in 2002 and they had two sons. Divorce proceedings began in 2020 and were finalized in 2024, as previously reported by USA TODAY.

"It was a long marriage, and it just didn't work out," Owens previously told USA TODAY. "I still wish her well. And I love being married."

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Mel Owens children

Owens has two grown sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18, from his 18-year marriage.

"They've been living primarily with me and I cherish that great father-son relationship," Owens told USA TODAY. "Every morning I get to be with them before they go to school."

The boys have supported him on his "Golden Bachelor" quest and helped their dad into the Instagram world. "They got me on TikTok, and then on Instagram. I didn't know how to do all of those things," says Owens. "My boys were helping me. Two months ago, I had four followers. I think I have more than four now."

How to watch 'The Golden Bachelor' Season 2

"The Golden Bachelor" airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET / PT and will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Watch 'The Golden Bachelor': Stream on Hulu

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.