Colton Underwood becoming the 'first gay Bachelor' would be a major mistake for the embattled ABC franchise

• Colton Underwood came out as gay during a "Good Morning America" interview that aired Wednesday.
• Fans then began to speculate whether he'd be the first openly gay lead for the "Bachelor" franchise.
• But we can't ignore that Underwood's winner, Cassie Randolph, filed a restraining order against him.

After the former NFL player and one-time "Bachelor" star Colton Underwood came out as gay on Wednesday, speculation began to swirl over whether ABC would make him the first openly gay star of "The Bachelor."

He was given a tell-all interview with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America," ABC's daytime news show. To many, it seemed like perfect timing for the embattled franchise that has dealt with continued fallout from Matt James' season of "The Bachelor."

But Underwood's story can't be told without Cassie Randolph, the woman he picked as his winner at the end of his season, which aired in 2019.

Months after the couple split in May 2020, Randolph filed a temporary restraining order against Underwood. She accused him of putting a tracking device on her car and texting her pretending to be an anonymous stalker.

It's a big footnote in Underwood's history. And while there's space to celebrate what his coming out will mean for many, to name him as the next "Bachelor" (or to give him that rumored Netflix reality show) would disregard Randolph's experience.

Cassie Randolph filed a restraining order against Colton Underwood in September

In the restraining-order paperwork, Randolph claimed that her brother had found a tracking device taped to the bottom of her car's back bumper and said Underwood was trying to keep tabs on where she was going following their split, according to TMZ.

She also alleged that Underwood sent her numerous text messages and would drive to both her apartment in Los Angeles and her parents' home in Huntington Beach, California, in the middle of the night.

An anonymous source told People at the time that Randolph thought she and Underwood "were on good terms" after their breakup but became terrified of his "text messages and the frightening behavior."

Randolph's temporary restraining order was granted. Then, in October, she filed a complaint against Underwood with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. That same month, her temporary restraining order against Underwood was extended.

The following month, Randolph dropped her restraining order against Underwood, who said in a statement to People that the former couple "were able to reach a private agreement."

"I do not believe Cassie did anything wrong in filing for the restraining orders and also believe she acted in good faith," Underwood added.

Underwood never had to directly address the restraining order during his 'Good Morning America' interview

While Roberts mentioned the restraining order in a voice-over segment, we never hear her specifically bring it up to Underwood.

Instead, the former reality-TV star directly apologizes to Randolph. We don't see his face as he does, just an old clip of Underwood and Randolph from "The Bachelor."

"I would like to say sorry for how things ended," Underwood said. "I messed up, I made a lot of bad choices."

Those "bad choices" are never specified. Instead, Underwood talks about how much he loved Randolph, even saying his love for her made things "harder and more confusing for me."

"I loved everything about her," he added. "I obviously had an internal fight going on. I'm sorry for any pain and emotional stress I caused. I wish it wouldn't have happened the way it did. I wish that I would've been courageous enough to fix myself before breaking anyone else."

Randolph does not appear in the "Good Morning America" segment, nor has she publicly commented on Underwood's interview at the time of writing - which may not be surprising to many "Bachelor" fans, as Randolph has distanced herself from the franchise.

The 25-year-old previously called out the series after appearing on "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons Ever" in July, in which she publicly discussed her split from Underwood for the first time.

Randolph told her fans in an Instagram story at the time that she was "irritated" her interview had been "edited" to feature only her comments about Underwood and their relationship. She then posted an Instagram story that said Underwood told her he planned to "monetize" their breakup by writing a new chapter for his memoir after she discussed their split on the show.

We don't know whether "Good Morning America" reached out to Randolph before the interview aired and gave her an opportunity to speak (Insider didn't immediately hear back after reaching out to both ABC and Randolph's representatives for comment). But the interview glosses over the details of their tumultuous split, and Randolph's absence puts the spotlight on Underwood when she was the one who was affected by his actions.

Both the NFL and Hollywood are filled with men who have been given 2nd chances

It wouldn't exactly be surprising if Underwood, a former NFL player and reality-TV alum, was named the "Bachelor" again. Both industries that he's been a part of are hardly strangers to the redemption arc.

When it comes to the NFL, you can find lists of players who've been allowed back on the football field - and given new multimillion-dollar contracts - after being accused or convicted of violence against women. Some stars, including Tyreek Hill and Peyton Manning, were drafted into the league despite facing accusations during their college careers.

The stories are similar in Hollywood. James Franco continues to work despite sexual-misconduct allegations against him, as does Ezra Miller - who appeared to choke a woman in a video that went viral in April 2020. And Louis C.K., who acknowledged masturbating in front of female comedians, is back performing stand-up again.

While Underwood was never formally charged with any crimes and Randolph's restraining order was dropped, he said in his "GMA" interview that he caused his former girlfriend "pain and emotional stress" and alluded to making "bad choices" in the aftermath of their breakup.

Getting the chance to play on a professional sports team, land a starring role, or lead a reality show is a privilege. That privilege comes in the form of a (sometimes massive) platform. It means more Instagram followers, more endorsements, more opportunities, more money. And it also sends a message.

Men have been given second chances, but what about the women they hurt? And what does it say to the boys and men who watch them or the victims of sexual harassment and domestic violence who are once again forgotten?

It's about time we see an LGBTQ person lead the 'Bachelor' franchise - it just shouldn't be Underwood

It should be said that Underwood's coming-out story will be meaningful to many, especially children who - as he did - are growing up in a religious household or are deeply immersed in the world of sports. To see such a person come out is undoubtedly powerful.

But it also doesn't negate Underwood's past, nor does it scrub ABC of responsibility when it comes to the safety of future "Bachelor" contestants.

The show is long overdue for many changes, and having a lead from LGBTQ communities would be a welcome one. But we don't need a redemption arc to make it impactful - especially at the expense of someone else's pain.