Singtel Apologises After Optus Emergency Call Outage Linked to Four Deaths Mel Owens

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Reuters/Kirsty Needham

Former NFL star Mel Owens has issued multiple apologies for controversial remarks about women over 60, just ahead of his debut as the lead on ABC’s “Golden Bachelor.” Owens, 66, sparked backlash after stating on a University of Michigan podcast that he would “cut” any woman older than 60 comments he now calls “way out of bounds” and a “mistake.”

Owens apologised directly to the 23 contestants on the show, who range in age from 58 to 77, ahead of the season premiere on September 24. “I’d say tune in, give me a second chance,” he told USA TODAY. “Make your own evaluation.”

A standout linebacker at the University of Michigan, Owens played nine seasons for the Los Angeles Rams before retiring in 1989 and later becoming a sports lawyer. Football remains central to his life, instilling discipline, teamwork, and resilience traits he says he carries into the dating show.

Owens, a divorced father of two grown sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18, credits them with helping him navigate social media for the show, including Instagram and TikTok. “Two months ago, I had four followers. I think I have more than four now,” he joked.

Despite the early controversy, Owens remains confident in his ability to navigate criticism. “I was criticized all the time in football,” he said. “You take it because it’s your job. I don’t dig into social media comments.”

On the show, Owens describes himself as romantic and emotionally in tune, though not prone to tears like the first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner. He also says he relies on intuition, or what he describes as extrasensory perception, to assess connections with contestants.

While not necessarily seeking marriage, Owens is open to finding new love. “Love is a good thing, it fills your heart, it makes you feel better, and it gives you a purpose,” he said. “You’re just going to have to watch the journey it’s an adventure.”