- Mel Owens, a 66-year-old father of two, has been named the lead for Season 2 of “The Golden Bachelor.”
- A Detroit native and former Michigan linebacker, Owens was drafted by the LA Rams in 1981.
- After retiring from football, he became a partner at NBO Law, specializing in sports law.
He tackled quarterbacks in the Big Ten over 40 years ago, now he’s tackling romance on primetime.
Detroit native and former Michigan Wolverine Mel Owens has been named the next “Golden Bachelor.”
ABC announced on April 22 that Owens, 66, will lead the second season of “The Golden Bachelor,” the hit spinoff that gives love another shot — this time with a little more life experience.
Owens was a linebacker for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980, earning All-Big Ten recognition before being drafted ninth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
He spent nine seasons in the NFL before pivoting to a career in law.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.
Owens earned his J.D. from the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law and is now a partner at NBO Law in Orange County. His legal practice focuses on sports injuries, workers’ comp, and disability benefits, according to his law firm — areas close to home for a former athlete.
More: This mock draft has wild results for Michigan football stars, including one to Lions
A devoted dad of two sons, 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,” according to ABC.
The first season of “The Golden Bachelor” premiered in 2023 with Gerry Turner as the franchise’s first leading man. Owens now follows in his footsteps as TV’s newest eligible senior.
A premiere date for Season 2 has not been set, but when the show airs on ABC, Owens will be suiting up once again: this time in a suit, not a jersey.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
