Byron Velvick

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Byron Velvick

Born	June 24, 1964 (1964-06-24) (age 43) Boulder City, Nevada
Occupation	Professional Bass Fisherman
Spouse	Irene Gallegos (1999 - 2002) (divorced)

Byron Paul Velvick (b. June 24, 1964 in Boulder City, Nevada) is a 2-Time WON Bass U.S. Open champion and previously held the BASS Record for 3 day limit (Apr.13-15, 2000 Clear Lake, Calif)^[1]. Velvick spent 2 years as a commentator for the ESPN2 show "BassCenter" from 2005-2006.^[2] He's also been an on-the-water reporter and contributing analyst for ESPN's fishing coverage before and since. ^[3].

[edit] The Bachelor

In September 2004, Velvick was the bachelor for Season 6 of the United States television show The Bachelor. He chose bachelorette Maribel Liliana "Mary" Delgado [in Spanish[1]]. Delgado, who came to the US with her parents from Cuba when she was just a year old^[4], had been a contestant the previous autumn during the series' 4th season^[5], but not chosen by Bachelor Bob Guiney.

During the finale show that aired during Thanksgiving week 2004, Velvick asked Mary Delgado to marry him in Spanish in order for her parents to be able to understand his proposal. Delgado accepted. Of the first 11 seasons of the show, the Velvick/Delgado pairing has been the first one to endure (not including The Bachelorette), although they have not yet married. After they became engaged, Delgado joined Velvick's tour and learned the sport. She is now a competing angler in her own right.^[6]

On November 21, 2007, Delgado, was arrested^[7] in Tampa on charges of battery. According to authorities, she punched Velvick in the mouth, causing his upper lip to bleed, and was under the influence of alcohol when she was arrested. The couple had appeared together in a segment of a "Bachleor" reunion show the night before during which the audience was asked if Velvick should marry Delgado. Behind her back he shook his head to indicate "no", which caused the audience to laugh. There is some speculation this sparked the later argument.^[8]^[9]^[10]. The couple later told reporters that despite the incident, they were still happy together. ^[11].