WHO IS MEL OWENS? What to Know About ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Controversy

The Newest “Golden Bachelor” will officiously kick off his journey to find love on wednesday.

Earlier This Year, Form NFL Star Mel Owens, 66, was announced as the Star of SEASON Two of the ABC reality TV Centered on People Finding Love in Their Golden Years.

“As the Golden Bachelor, 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,” ABC in its announcing in April.

While fans were initially excited about the casting, some of the owens’ comments regarding the ages of his potential ranging fans the work Way. He has since apologized apologized on and off-camera for His Remarks.

Here’s everything we know the owns and his season of “the Golden Bachelor.”

Mel Owens Was a Linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams for 9 Seasons

Owens is from Detroit and Attended the University of Michigan.

After graduating, he was selected as the ninth overall pic in the la rams’ 1981 nfl draft. He played Linebacker for the Team for Nine Seasons.

AFTER RETIRING FROM FOOTBALL, HE BECAME A LAWYER

Accorting to His Linkedin Profile, he has been a partner at lbo law, a firm Based in Newport Beach, California, Since April 2006.

Howver, he didn’t fully leave beened the sports world. Mel represents athletes, specifically Concerning Injuries, Disability Benefits, and Workers’ Compensation.

He Shares 2 Sons with HIS Ex-Wiffe

The Press Release That Announched Owens As The Golden Bachelor Said That He Met His “First Love” we have moved to Orange County, California, to Pursue His Law Career. It was late reported that time name is fabiana pimetel.

They have two sons Together and late divorced in december 2024.

“While Life took an EXXPECTED TURN WITH THE PASSING OF HIS FATHER AND THE END OF HIS MARRIAGE, OWENS CHANNELED HIS INTO BEING THE BEST FATHER THA COULD BE, FOCUSING ON RAISING HIS SONS AND COACHING THEIR Extracurricular sports,” abc said in its.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY DID OWENS SAY THAT MADE People Mad?

Two months after he was announeded as the lead, owens appeared on “In the trenches,“A podcast About University of Michigan Athletics.

On it, the 66-YEAR-Old Said that he’d preferably to date women between the ages of 45 and 60.

He also said he told a producer Something Else: “I Said, you know, if they’re’re 60 or over, i’m cutting say. ‘”

“I told say, you know, try to stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff, right,” he continued.

The backlash was swift.

At Least One Member of Bachelor Nation Cut Owens Some Slack, Though. In a july interview with Entertainment Weekly“Golden Bachelor” Season 1 Contestant Kathy Swarts (WHO IS 72) SAID SHE THINKS “MEL IS A GUY LOOKING FOR LOVE” AND THAT “SAID SANDING WITHING REALLY THINKING IT.”

She added, “i think that if mel owens met with – and i’m over 70 – that line would just swimming be in his mouth. It’d be like, who, I never know someone fabious over 60, over 70. ‘”

Has he apologized?

He’s Apologized Multiple Times Since the Podcast Aired. First, During an August Interview with glamor.

Owens said he didn’t have a “frame of reference” regarding the age ranges on the show. He added that he had dated SINCE he was in his late 30s/Early 40s and felt out of touch.

He Also Said He Apologized to the Women Who Were Cast. By His Own Estimate, he Said that he apologized for his comments at least “20 times” in the first episode to the contestants.

“I APOLOGIZED TO THE WOMEN ON THE SHOW. WEND I FIRST WALKED IN, I ADDRESSED IT. I APOLOGIZED TO SAID, ‘IT WAS UNFAIR, I INSENSIVE. I WANT TO EARN IT BACK.

He added that he “deserted” the backlash and was trying to respond to Viewers. “Watch the Show and See If I Earn It Back,” He Said.

In a September 2025 Interview with USA TODAYOwens said that he was grateful to abc as they “Stood by” Him.

“I had a great time, and was appreciative of (ABC) giving with a Second Chance. Again, I have apologized,” Owens Said. “I have as asced for forgoveness. Of Said, ‘Let with Earn it Back.’ And you know, hopophully i did. ”

Owens Will Choose Between 23 Women from All Over The Country, Ranging in Age From 58 to 77. And in the End, Only One on His Season is Under 60: 58-Yet-Old Maia Dreyer, A Sports Consultant.

“I had no idea how Old they were, and it didn’t matter,” he said.

ABC Did Not Respond to A Request for Comment from Business Insider.

Season 2 of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Premieres on September 24

Viewers Can Decide for Themselves How they Feel About Owens by Watching the Two-Episode Premiere of “The Golden Bachelor” on Wednesday, September 24, on ABC at 8 PM et/PT.

Episodes Will Also be available to stream the next day on hulu.