America’s Next Golden Bachelor is an Illinois High School Grad
The hit ABC-TV show The Golden Bachelor is returning for a second season, and this year's bachelor has a connection to Illinois.
Midwest Roots and National Appeal
The first season of the popular reality series featured Gerry Turner from Indiana, and according to Deadline, it drew an average of over 10 million viewers.
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Continuing with The Golden Bachelor's trend of featuring leads with Midwestern roots, the star of Season 2 is also from this part of the country.
According to ABC, 66-year-old Mel Owens has been selected as the leading man for The Golden Bachelor Season 2. Owens played in the NFL for nine seasons after being drafted in 1981 and has since been practicing law in California, but he was born in Michigan.
A New Chapter for a Seasoned Bachelor
Mel Owens was born in Detroit, but according to Wikipedia, he went to high school in Dekalb, Illinois, where he graduated from Dekalb High School in 1976 before going to the University of Michigan, where he played football before being drafted by the L.A. Rams, according to ABC.
Owens was previously married for 25 years and has two sons. After a divorce from his first wife and the passing of his father, he dedicated himself to fatherhood and coaching his sons, according to a story in USA Today.
The Golden Bachelor Season 2 lead describes his ideal match as "someone who is honest, loving, fit, and full of life."
Looking Ahead to Premiere Show
While they have not yet released the premiere date for Season 2 of The Golden Bachelor, it's expected to air this fall.'
Casting for Season 2 is still ongoing, with ABC seeking senior women ready to find love. CLICK HERE for more information on how to apply or nominate someone through the official casting site.
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