Mel Owens begins his journey for love as the Season 2 lead of The Golden Bachelor. (John Fleenor/Disney)Bachelor Nation, The Golden Bachelor Season 2 is almost here. The second season of the hit ABC reality dating series premieres on Wednesday evening and will follow Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player, in his search for love.Owens's turn as the leading man comes two years after Gerry Turner, then 72, served as the inaugural Golden Bachelor in 2023. Joan Vassos, then 61, meanwhile, took her turn at finding love as the first Golden Bachelorette in 2024.