ABC's newest " Golden Bachelor ," who initially gained notoriety for saying he doesn't want to date anyone as old as him, was center stage Wednesday as the ABC's reality dating show premiered, highlighting the athletic history of his father.

During the season premiere, Mel Owens, 66, a linebacker for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1980, earned All-Big Ten recognition before being drafted ninth overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams , said that his father, who died in 2020, played in the Negro Leagues.

His late father, Walt Owens, played for the Negro League's Detroit Stars in the 1950s while attending Western Michigan University, according to the Negro League Baseball Museum website, as an outfielder and pitcher from 1953 to 1955.

Additionally, Walt was

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