I Think The Golden Bachelor Season 2's Mel Owens Shouldn't Have Been Cast (He's Already Tasted Fame & Maybe He Wants Clout More Than Love)

The Golden Bachelor recently announced the casting of season 2 lead Mel Owens, and I’m not sure it was the best choice. Mel, 66, is a former professional football player working now as a lawyer in California. Mel was married to his wife, Fabiana Pimentel, for 25 years before their 2020 divorce. The couple shares two sons. While Mel is a newcomer to the Bachelor franchise, he previously had a brush with fame during his career in the NFL. Mel’s history is vastly different from that of his predecessor, season 1 lead Gerry Turner.

Fans grew to respect Gerry for his everyman persona. He kept it real, even bonding with the women about age-related quirks like hearing aids. At the same time, Gerry gave an authentic view of life as a widower as he navigated dating again after the unexpected death of his wife of 42 years. Meanwhile, The Golden Bachelor’s female contestants banded together to create a support network that remains close to this day. I’m concerned that Mel’s season won’t reach the same highs as Gerry’s, and his casting may have been a huge mistake.

The Former NFL Player's Already Famous

He Was A Professional Athlete For Nine Years

Mel is no stranger to the spotlight, thanks to his extensive football career. He got his start at the University of Michigan, where he played from 1977 to 1980. Mel was then drafted by the NFL in 1981 as the ninth overall pick. He went on to spend nine seasons as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. Mel continues to speak highly about his time in the NFL, telling the South Florida Tribune in 2024 that the players in his era “catapulted the NFL to what it is today.”

As a professional athlete, Mel has already had a taste of fame, and I worry he’s trying to relive those moments by joining The Golden Bachelor. He might miss the notoriety he experienced during his heyday on the field. Now that his marriage has ended, Mel may be looking to the public for affirmation, and starring on a popular reality show is the perfect solution.

Mel could be motivated by a desire for attention rather than genuinely seeking a life partner. If his heart isn’t in his search for love, the results could be catastrophic for the contestants and the show’s future. The Golden Bachelor can’t afford a lead motivated by the wrong reasons. After the backlash Gerry faced when his marriage to Theresa Nist ended in divorce mere months after his season aired, another failure would likely end the series for good.

He's Not An Average Guy

His Success May Have Given Him A Big Ego

Mel has already experienced more success in his life than the average person. Being drafted into the NFL is a huge accomplishment that most men could only dream of, let alone a nine-year career with a single team. The life of a professional athlete can be grueling, and Mel's record proves his impressive level of talent and dedication.

After he retired from the NFL, Mel wasn’t ready to slow down. He went to law school and became a founding partner at NBO Law, where he continues to work with the nation’s top athletes. The firm specializes in sports-related injuries and “represents professional athletes in all sports regarding workers’ compensation issues.” It’s based in Orange County, California, one of the most affluent areas in the country.

Mel’s accomplishments make him a great catch, but they might also make him overly confident. He has a lot to offer, and that might raise his standards too high for many of the women he encounters on The Golden Bachelor. While Mel’s ambition is a good thing, I fear it could come in the way of his authentic pursuit of love. He could start to think the show, or the women, are beneath him.

Part of The Golden Bachelor’s appeal is its authenticity in addressing the challenges of dating later in life. The contestants may have more baggage than their younger counterparts, but they also have a sense of peace and self-confidence that only comes from life experience. Mel’s success on and off the field may set him apart from the women he’s dating, which isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Jonathan Rone Would Have Been A Better Choice

He Was Authentic And Vulnerable

Amid my doubts about Mel’s casting, I’m convinced that producers should have instead gone with Jonathan Rone, who appeared on The Golden Bachelorette. Jonathan was eliminated by Joan Vassos in week 5, giving viewers plenty of time to get to know him without getting sick of him. After his run on the show, Jonathan revealed he was in a relationship, quashing the dreams of viewers who hoped to see him return as The Golden Bachelor. However, he announced in early 2025 that he was once again single.

Jonathan was very energetic and charismatic, but he was also vulnerable about the experience of putting himself out there on television. He seemed like a lead who could handle the pressures of fame while remaining humble. While Mel seems equipped to manage the fame aspect, I’m not so sure he will be authentic and vulnerable enough to connect with viewers or the contestants.

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Like The Golden Bachelor, The Golden Bachelorette was enormously popular. It featured many eligible men who would have been excellent choices to continue with the franchise. Unlike Gerry and Theresa, Joan and her fiancé, Chock Chapple, are taking their time getting to know each other before marriage and appear to be happier than ever. After the phenomenal success of The Golden Bachelorette, I’m surprised producers chose not to capitalize on its popularity by bringing back a familiar face from the season.

While we have yet to see how Mel will appear on-camera, I have grave concerns about his role as The Golden Bachelor’s leading man. Mel’s career success seems likely to create an intimidating environment that won’t be as welcoming as last season. I’m worried that he’s simply out to reclaim the glory days of his football career and the publicity that came with it. If Mel’s intentions aren’t pure, he could do damage to the franchise.