There’s a reason why season 16 of The Bachelorette is being called The Clare and Dale Show. As fans wait for more Clare-ity on what exactly might be the biggest twist in the reality show’s history, interest in Dale Moss is at its peak! Who is the suitor that Clare Crawley thought was husband material at first sight? And what is it about Dale that could have made Clare bid her coveted The Bachelorette season goodbye?
Clare, 39, was first introduced to Bachelor Nation on Juan Pablo’s season of The Bachelor back in 2014. Since then, she’s continued her search for love on Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelor Winter Games, before landing her own special spin-off. With being “the oldest bachelorette” and having had a few unsuccessful relationships down the way, Clare did show up on this season 16, looking for something more secure. And when Dale, 31, stepped out of his limo, and into the COVID-19 safe La Quinta, the hairstylist somehow knew he was going to get her first-impression rose. Clare looked so visibly overwhelmed after meeting “good hugger” Dale, that The Bachelorette’s own Chris Harrison had to interrupt to calm her down. “I knew it, it felt like I just met my husband. I’m shaking,” exclaimed Clare and that’s when the Bachelor Nation realized that Dale could be the one who she “blows up” the season for.
Well, first things first, Dale is already famous. The former NFL pro also has a Wikipedia page to prove it. Small town boy Dale was born on September 24, 1988 and grew up in Brandon, South Dakota, with four sisters, Robyn, Amber, Jessica, and Candace. As per OprahMag, Dale’s parents Delores and Dale Sr had met and began dating in college, but had faced discrimination because of their interracial relationship. The Bachelorette star’s mother’s family had disowned her for marrying a Black man but they stayed together “40 years through the fire” until she passed away in 2017, according to his Instagram. Dale grew up as "the only Black kid in a very segregated area," attended Brandon Valley High School, and later the South Dakota State University to major in consumer affairs/business economics.
Dale played basketball for South Dakota State’s team for four seasons, and then a year of football for the university before eventually going pro. At 6'3, he received attention for being a wide receiver and signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent after graduating in May 2012. Later, Dale signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chicago Bears, the Carolina Panthers, and a professional arena football team, the Los Angeles Kiss. Apparently, football runs in his family, as Dale’s uncle is 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodger. After spending four years in the NFL, Dale became the content creator and host for Buchwald and The Game Plan Podcast in 2018, he writes on LinkedIn. Currently, Dale is a professional fashion and fitness model represented by Wilhelmina International since 2013, for their New York and Los Angeles divisions. He’s famously been the face of campaigns for popular brands like Hugo Boss, Under Armor, and Brooks Brothers.
Fans saw Dale mention a sister’s underlying disability to Clare during a conversation on The Bachelorette. His older sister Amber is also an athlete just like Dale, because of whom he’s been involved with Special Olympics at a local level since childhood. Dale states that he soon became a global ambassador for Special Olympics in 2017, where he “advocates and works to develop programs that create an inclusive environment for Special Olympics Unified Sports Athletes around the globe.” Dale mentions how with over 30 Olympic-style sports from gymnastics to soccer to open-water swimming., they offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities “many ways to show who they really are.”
But that’s not all. The Bachelorette celeb is also the founder of Moss Martin Media, a video production and creative agency, he started in New York in 2014. Oh, and the philanthropist is also associated with Wounded Warrior Project, NFL Play 60, The Bronx Project, and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Whew, no wonder Clare is impressed.
On the relationship front, Dale has previously dated pro golfer Seema Sadekar for many years before she “broke off the relationship.” Life & Style had reported that Dale and Seema made a “gorgeous couple” and it was after the break-up that Dale moved to New York City. “When it comes to girls, she’s the one he would talk about the most,” says the story but if rumors are to be believed, meeting Clare on The Bachelorette 2020 has made Dale a changed man. So, did Clare who with just two episodes in, looks completely smitten by Dale really “fall in love” with the NFL player after 12 days of filming? A glance at his past makes one think The Bachelorette did find the perfect bachelor for herself after all.
The Bachelorette season 16 airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.
Source: Dale Moss/Wikipedia, OprahMag, Dale Moss/Instagram, Dale Moss/LinkedIn, Life & Style