ABC Just Revealed the New Golden Bachelor & the Choice Is a Giant Curveball

ABC is keeping the golden romance alive. The Golden Bachelor has officially been renewed for a second season and the network just revealed the new leading man—and he’s not who I (or fans) were expecting. Instead of selecting someone from a previous season, like the franchise usually does, ABC pulled a surprise move and introduced a totally new face to Bachelor Nation. So who's the new Golden Bachelor? It's Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker-turned-lawyer who's ready to find love in this next chapter of life.

Owens was born and raised in Detroit and played college football at the University of Michigan before being drafted to the L.A. Rams in 1981, according to a press release shared on April 22. After wrapping up his football career, he settled in Orange County, California and pursued a law degree. He now represents clients in cases involving sports-related injuries—pretty full-circle, right?

On the personal front, Owens shares two sons with his first love. “While life took an unexpected turn with the passing of his father and the end of his marriage, Owens channeled his energy into being the best father he could be, focusing on raising his sons and coaching their extracurricular sports teams,” the press release stated.

Now, he's turning the page and looking for the kind of love that’s all about the everyday stuff—“sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future, and growing stronger together as a couple.”

While some fans had hoped to see Charles Ling, a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette, take the lead, the overall response to Mel has been positive. The former 'Golden Bachelorette' herself, Joan Vasso, even reposted the announcement. "Oh he's cute… Almost as cute as Chock," she wrote, referencing her fiancé. "Can't wait to watch!"