Mel Owens begins with "Golden Bachelor" journey with a cheerleading showdown judged by Paula Abdul and host Jesse Palmer.
Former NFL star Mel Owens begins his journey for love with 23 women on "Golden Bachelor" with tough hockey words from Diane, a puck-slinger from Alaska.
Mel Owens was impressed with Carol, and her Freddie Freeman jacket in the "Golden Bachelor."

LOS ANGELES — Mel Owens, the former Los Angeles Rams linebacker, is truly a Golden Bachelor as he gazes over the sun-drenched Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on a July afternoon.

Sure, the Rams played 30 miles southeast at Anaheim's Angel Stadium during the linebacker's respected pro career from 1981-89. But Owens, 66, hits the field again in his number 58 jersey to judge a cheerleading contest for "The Golden Bachelor" premiere (Sept. 24 on ABC 8 ET/PT, then streaming on Hulu).

With celebrity judges Paula Abdul and host Jesse Palmer, also a former NFL quarterback, the Golden Bachelor Cheer Championship features two teams – Mel's Angels versus Mel's GB Squad. Both sides were selected from the 23 senior reality show contestants who had arrived days earlier at the Bachelor Mansion to meet Owens for the first time.

We won't reveal the results of the group date. But we will discuss the show contestants' reaction to Owens' controversial June comments about wanting to cut any "Golden Bachelor" contestant over the age of 60.

'What the puck?' Diane pokes Mel Owens for controversial ageism comments

Earlier in the Sept. 24 premiere episode, Owens is shown giving heartfelt apologies to the arriving contestants, aged 58 to 77, including to Diane Firmani, 71, a librarian from Wasilla, Alaska. The avid hockey player immediately asked Owens, "What the puck?"

"It was the perfect line, because I wanted to address it," Firmani says during a break in cheerleading practice. "What (Owens) said did concern me. I'm a feminist. I couldn't let that go. I had to ask him, 'What the puck were you thinking?'"

Firmani was pleased with Owens' immediate apology. "He told me, 'Diane, that wasn't right,'" says Firmani. "It was heartfelt what he said. I was taken aback. And later he said it to the whole group."

Firmani is so satisfied with Owens' response that she happily participates in the cheerleading competition as part of Mel's Angels. It's her first time waving pom-poms since cheering for Alaska's Mishawaka High School Cavemen from 1969 to 1972.

"It comes right back to you," says Firmani. "And Paula Abdul, she looks as good as she did as a dancer on 'In Living Color.' She's ageless."

Carol says dating someone Mel Owens' age is 'a new experience'

Carol Freeman-Branstine, 63, the aunt and the family manager to Dodgers all-star Freddie Freeman, caught Owens' eye by wearing a Freeman (No. 5) jacket into the Bachelor Mansion on opening night (Owens is a major Freeman fan).

Freeman-Branstine wishes she had told Owens what she thought about the Golden Bachelor wanting to date younger contestants. "I would have liked to have told him, 'That's the first thing we had in common,'" says Freeman-Branstine, laughing. "I'm kidding, because I haven't dated much."

"But who doesn't like to date younger people?" the contestant says. "I mean, whatever. I've never dated anyone (Owens) age before myself. So this is a new experience for me."

Robin recalls 'cutest man' Mel Owens from Laguna Beach circa 1992

Robin Rocha, a 63-year-old wealth advisor and vineyard owner from Napa Valley, California, lived in Laguna Beach at the same time Owens ran successfully for city council in 1992.

"Of course I voted for him, he was the cutest man and a great guy," says Rocha. "He did a great job then, and he's going to do a great job now as Golden Bachelor."

Still giddy over Owens, Rocha says she was impressed with the bachelor's apology to all 23 women.

"He admitted his mistake, that's what you have to do. You have to own it," says Rocha. "He misspoke. Obviously, it was a big concern coming here, because I'm over 60. But now that's so past news. Mel's the kind of ethical man I'm looking for."

Mel Owens says 'there's no age in spirit' during Golden Bachelor Cheer Championship

Host of "Golden Bachelor," Palmer, who owned a Mel Owens football card as a kid, bonds with his hero and fellow NFL alum as the two throw the pigskin around the field. They also chat intently even when they aren't seated at the judges' table.

Palmer insists he has not discussed the past comments with Owens, despite being the show's confidante.

"I know this was something addressed between Mel and the women on Night 1. I know they were appreciative that it came up right away," says Palmer. "I'd say this has all been eye-opening for (Owens) in the best ways."

The cheering competition centered around Owens is built-in, over-the-top support, with Abdul advising the routines to her 1988 "Straight Up" hit. Before giving his verdict on the winner, Owens diplomatically pronounces, "There's no age to spirit."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How 'The Golden Bachelor' women reacted to Mel Owens' apology on cheerleading date

Reporting by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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