The Untold Truth Of Jesse Palmer

Few footballers have made the transition to reality TV as effortlessly as Jesse Palmer. In fact, the former quarterback began to embrace the insane world of dating shows while he was still in the NFL, famously appearing as the suitor in the fifth season of "The Bachelor" when playing for the New York Giants. After permanently waving goodbye to the locker room in 2006, Palmer kept one foot in the game as an analyst for ESPN. But he also covered the Oscars and Super Bowl for Canadian entertainment news show "eTalk," hosted Food Network contests "Recipe to Riches" and "Holiday Baking Championship," and presented ABC's "The Proposal."

Jesse Palmer proved he no longer needed to rely on reality TV for his love life in 2020, when he walked down the aisle with model Emely Fardo. But two years later, he returned to the franchise that kicked his second career off, only this time as the replacement for longtime host Chris Harrison. No better time, therefore, than to look at the sportsman-turned-screen personality's untold truth.

Having to date, and find your everlasting love from, a pool of approximately two dozen women has always seemed like an exhausting way to find "the one" (as well as find your 15 minutes of fame). So we can truly believe Jesse Palmer when he says that he finds hosting ABC's flagship dating show "The Bachelor" much easier than competing on it.

The former New York Giant, whose relationship with his fifth season pick, Jessica Bowlin, didn't last long following the finale, acknowledged this fact in a 2022 interview with "Good Morning America" ahead of his presenting debut: "You don't have to deal with any of the drama, you don't have to make any tough decisions." Palmer did admit that he felt pangs of "nostalgia" during the first night's filming, adding, "Watching Clayton [Echard] at his first rose ceremony. I had this tidal wave of emotion reminding me of my time doing the show years and years ago. It's such a cool experience having this thing come full circle." 

Luckily, Echard avoided the faux pas that Palmer made in his first episode back in the day. The ex-footballer famously called out the wrong name while giving out his first rose.

You might expect that a man who tried to find love in front of 13.1 million viewers would want to publicize the moment he walked down the aisle. But instead of securing a seven-figure magazine deal to cover his nuptials, former "Bachelor" suitor Jesse Palmer ended up marrying in secret! Yes, in June 2020, the one-time quarterback said "I do," not to his reality TV girlfriend Jessica Bowlin, of course — they split up not long after the fifth season aired, as previously mentioned — but to model Emely Fardo. However, the couple, who'd started dating in 2017, only made the news public over a year later.

In an October 2021 chat with People magazine, the newlyweds revealed that they'd initially planned to tie the knot in France, but following the small matter of a worldwide pandemic, had to settle for a pal's home in Connecticut: "We were only able to invite a small group of close friends that live in the greater N.Y.C. area, and that were in quarantine at the time. We had a lovely afternoon and look forward to celebrating our love with our parents and immediate families all together soon!"

After four seasons and four breakups, the more romantic viewers of "The Bachelor" were no doubt hoping that Jesse Palmer and Jessica Bowlin would break the show's curse and stay together until at least the ABC show returned to our screens. In the end, the couple went their separate ways just a month after their finale episode aired.

In a 2004 statement released to Extra (via Entertainment Weekly) at the time, Palmer said, "Jessica and I shared an incredible romantic journey on the show that began with a friendship that remains strong today. We simply realized that, individually, our next steps take us in different directions." While that all sounds relatively amicable and drama-free, the former NFL star did admit on "George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight" eight years later that he was left heartbroken by the split.

Palmer said, "Well, that was devastating. The last part of that, when I was 24 years old and realizing that was not going to work out, that was tough." Asked if he'd "give[n] up on love," however, he went on to quip with a laugh, "Yeah, and on life. I'm slowly bouncing back. In my old age now of 34, I'm still trying to turn the corner." Of course, the separation proved to be a blessing in disguise as, in 2020, Palmer walked down the aisle with the true love of his life, Brazilian model Emely Fardo.

Having split from Jessica Bowlin only weeks after the final rose ceremony was televised, Jesse Palmer didn't manage to find a lifelong romance on "The Bachelor." But several years later, the ABC show did match the former footballer up with a potential lifelong bromance.

Yes, during his debut season as host in 2022, Palmer developed a strong bond with the show's suitor, Clayton Echard, as the latter explained to Us Weekly: "He is somebody that, because we have very similar backgrounds, he resonated with me very quickly." Indeed, just like his new BFF, Echard also has football in his blood, having played for the University of Missouri's team, the Missouri Tigers, before experiencing a very brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks.

Echard also revealed that Palmer gave him plenty of tips about how to deal with the pressures of the TV dating game. "I think the biggest thing he told me was just, 'Stay true to yourself.' And it's not this mind-blowing advice but it was so relevant," he said, going on to explain, "It's like, 'Don't try to be anybody else. Just do this the way that you think is right. And at the end of it all, you'll be thankful that you did.'"

It seems hard to believe considering "The Bachelor" quickly became the must-see reality TV show of the early '00s. But before gracing its fifth season, NFL player Jesse Palmer had never seen a single episode of the ABC phenomenon.

Yes, in a 2011 interview with Parade, the former San Francisco 49er claimed that he went into all of the one-on-ones, group dates, and rose ceremonies pretty much blind: "I guess I was naive in the sense that I didn't know just how big it really was. It was a tremendous experience, but going into it, I certainly wasn't prepared." Perhaps that explains why Palmer ended up accidentally giving his rose to the wrong person in his very first episode.

Although the ESPN analyst hasn't got any regrets about signing up to the prime-time hit, he wouldn't want to experience the process again: "It's a fantasy. You set the bar too high because you can't take helicopter rides all the time. I didn't propose to [Jessica Bowlin]. We did date, but it didn't last very long." Of course, Palmer did end up returning to the franchise in 2022, only this time as host rather than competitor.

Many "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" viewers no doubt did a double take in 2005 when the most recent suitor from "The Bachelor" popped up as a Major League Baseball player. Yes, that really was Jesse Palmer as Don Lacey in the seventh season episode "Design," although as the star admitted, it wasn't exactly the most testing part.

Discussing his brief cameo in Dick Wolf's ever-expanding franchise with The Wrap in 2015, Palmer said, "I had to play an athlete and I had like four lines. I think the hardest one I had was 'rohypnol.' That took about 12 takes."

The former San Francisco 49er hasn't acted since, but still has ambitions to appear on the big screen, and in a 007 movie, in particular. However, it's not as Daniel Craig's replacement. "Maybe one day I can be a Canadian James Bond villain? With a Quebec French accent, which I could totally pull off!" Palmer told the outlet. The multi-talent also appeared to be throwing his hat into the ring for a future X-Men reboot in 2016, when he was convincingly transformed into the character known as Beast for "Good Morning America."

Jesse Palmer might have become an unlikely mainstay of the Food Network as the host of shows such as "Recipe to Riches," "Holiday Baking Championship," and "Spring Baking Championship," but "The Bachelor" regular isn't particularly handy in the kitchen himself.

When asked about his own culinary abilities by SI in 2018, Palmer admitted, "No. I'm not good at baking. My girlfriend bakes phenomenally, though. The best brownies I've ever had. I'm very good at eating them." The former NFL quarterback is a dedicated foodie, though, and will regularly watch other shows on the same network in his downtime, with "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" being a particular favorite.

In fact, Palmer has even squared up against the show's exuberant host Guy Fieri on the football field in a celebrity match, revealing that the chef's most famous feature makes him a menacing opponent: "He had the spiky hair. It was dangerous. If it hit you, you thought you might get cut up."

It turns out that Jesse Palmer is the man you want by your side if you ever happen to start choking on a chicken sandwich. Yes, in 2013, ESPN's College Game Day favorite Chris Fowler nearly died in embarrassing circumstances after getting part of his lunch stuck in his throat during a break in filming the Pinstripe Bowl at the Yankee Stadium. Luckily, his ex-footballer colleague was able to come to the rescue.

Fowler later revealed all on Twitter, posting, "Never before needed a Heimlich at halftime. (Or any time)! Thanks Jesse Palmer!" He added in a follow-up tweet, "Not bad to have quick thinking, ex-NFL player around when Heimlich needed. I'll take bruised ribs to avoid choking!" The broadcaster was backed up by senior coordinating producer Ed Placer, who told ESPN Front Row: "I was standing right there. Jesse, with cat-quick reflexes, reacted immediately."

Palmer then gave more details about the incident to the same site, revealing that the drama occurred in the green room behind the network's outdoor set, in full view of the stage crew. "I was watching Chris chew his food, and his eyes began to get big," he recounted. "He tried to swallow some water to clear his throat, then he had a look of panic on his face."

Jesse Palmer found out to his cost in 2018 that you don't want to get on the wrong side of Nicki Minaj. The "Super Bass" hitmaker threatened to file a lawsuit against the former football player following a report he made about her private life on "DailyMailTV."

After discussing Minaj's attempts to stick up for Kenny Petty, her then-boyfriend-turned-husband who had pleaded guilty in 1995 to the attempted rape of a teenage girl, Palmer commented (via the New York Post), "Her fans are also worried because this isn't the first time Nicki Minaj has defended a sex offender." "The Bachelor" regular was referring to the rapper's brother, Jelani Maraj, who in 2017 was convicted of raping his pre-teen stepdaughter, and whom Minaj once visited in prison. 

Minaj soon went on the warpath with a now-deleted Instagram post, which read, "You just lied on me on national TV and now you're being sued. You better be able to back up what you just said about me with FACTS. #SuperFacts #Defamation." The chart-topper didn't stop there, either. She also took to Twitter to post, "You going to jail," alongside crying-laughing emojis. Minaj added in another tweet, "The barbz are getting more tuition and student loan money after I sue this hoe @JessePalmert TV." As of this writing, Minaj hasn't taken any legal action against Palmer.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

One of Jesse Palmer's main goals is to get the nation's kids to follow in his footsteps. Not by attempting to find true love on a heavily engineered dating show, no, but by developing a love of physical exercise. And as an ambassador for Good Sports' Equip-A-Kid initiative, the former New York Giant is determined to make sure that every child in America has the opportunity to find their sporting passion.

In a 2017 interview with Digital Journal, Palmer was keen to point out that there's a huge disparity in underprivileged communities when it comes to participation: "The No. 1 issue is the lack of access to equipment, and that is something that Good Sports has done such a great job of over the years. It helped donate $26 million in equipment, apparel and footwear, that has helped impact about five million kids across the country."

Palmer, who went on to state that there's still another five million American children who need such help, acknowledged that he'd been much luckier when growing up. "When I was a young kid, I knew that I wanted to play pro football, but by playing baseball, basketball, volleyball and track and field, it honed my skills," he said, adding, "And I made so many more friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise."

Jesse Palmer's swoonsome good looks have been integral to his success in television. They were no doubt the main reason he was selected to be the suitor in the fifth season of "The Bachelor," the show that skyrocketed him to fame, after all. But he's not the only member of his family to have used their great genes in their career.

Per ScreenRant, mom Susan Palmer worked as a model back in her Ottawa hometown and later founded the talent management agency, Barrett Palmer Models, and co-owned the ITM International Top Models company, which now boasts several of Canada's premier fashion magazine and runway queens.

But like his younger brother, Bill Palmer, Jesse also inherited something invaluable from his father (also called Bill) — a knack for throwing a football. Bill Palmer Sr. served as a linebacker for the Ottawa Rough Riders back in the day and coached both his sons on the field while they were growing up. Jesse, of course, went on to play for the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, while his sibling went on to be drafted by the British Columbia Lions.

In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was announced as the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, an accolade, which as its name suggests, is given to a sportsperson who has displayed a sense of bravery in their chosen field. Despite her Olympic gold medal victory in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics, Jenner was viewed as a controversial choice by many, with broadcaster Bob Costas calling it a "crass exploitation ploy."

However, Jesse Palmer, who was covering the ESPYS as a red carpet host, told The Wrap that the transgender athlete was a worthy winner: "It was a phenomenal choice. It is such an inspiring story demonstrating tons of courage to take that stance. I think it was a very natural fit. Over the years, that award has always gone to someone very, very deserving and it has become a historic thing."

"The Bachelor" star also dismissed all the talk that the honor should have been awarded to someone more associated with sports these days than reality TV. No doubt referring to the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" alum's Olympic triumph, Palmer said, "She is technically one of the greatest American athletes in history."

We find this almost as hard to believe as Jesse Palmer's claims that he'd never seen an episode of "The Bachelor" before appearing on it. But according to the reality TV star, his wife wasn't aware that he was once America's most eligible singleton when they first met. And that's despite being a massive fan of the franchise.

Yes, in an interview with Us Weekly shortly after news of their marriage had been announced in 2021, Palmer revealed that Emely Fardo had "watched everything from the past several years," but hadn't been a viewer when his fifth season aired in 2004. As a result, Fardo thought that Palmer was just an average Joe until they started getting ambushed by "The Bachelor" fans asking for a rose during their early courtship in New York.

To be fair, Fardo does hail from Brazil, which perhaps explains why she missed seeing Palmer's face on every U.S. tabloid magazine back in the mid-'00s. And the former footballer obviously wasn't offended by the lack of recognition. "I continue to wake up every morning with the woman of my dreams," he said in relation to his newlywed status. "The biggest difference is wearing a ring, but I'm getting used to it — and loving it!"

Jesse Palmer spent five seasons in the NFL, four with the New York Giants and one with the San Francisco 49ers, before enjoying a brief stint with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. But the former quarterback is likely to have made most of his fortune when he pivoted into the world of television.

Palmer was no doubt able to cash in on the popularity of "The Bachelor" after his Season 5 appearance in 2004, as he's since become a regular face on our screens, serving as an analyst for ESPN, host of various baking competitions, and even making a cameo on "Law and Order: SVU," as previously mentioned. "It was something I hadn't planned," Palmer told The Wrap of his second career in TV, calling his post-NFL moves a "natural progression." He added, "I never really had a plan B. I've been really, really fortunate, everything from football on has been icing on the cake, so I'm living my dream."

Having won a Daytime Emmy for his work with "DailyMailTV" in 2019, the in-demand star's biggest pay packet is likely to have come from his 2021 appointment as host of the show where it all began. Chris Harrison was reportedly earning $2.6 million on "The Bachelor" per annum by the time he made his exit over a controversial race row. While Palmer is unlikely to have bagged such a lucrative deal in his first season as Harrison's replacement, he's no doubt added a significant sum to his already impressive $8 million fortune, per Celebrity Net Worth.