LINCOLN, Calif. —
Retiring from a job you love can be hard, especially if your job was playing in the NFL.
Two retired 49ers teammates share their journey of reinventing themselves and rebuilding their lives after leaving the field. Their friendship gave them the support they needed to realize they won't be sidelined.
It was a friendship that started on the football field. Eddie Lewis and Dan Bunz both played in the late 70s for the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. What the former teammates didn’t know is they would later be neighbors in Lincoln.
“First time I saw him, I slammed on my brakes,” said Bunz.
He realized the man standing on the side of the road in a cowboy hat was Lewis.
The pair never expected to play in the NFL. Lewis’ main focus was graduating from college.
"So, when draft day came, I was still studying," said Lewis.
Both were drafted into the NFL at 23-years-old.
“Old NFL players didn't make any money. I mean, we got beat up and we didn't have many perks,” said Bunz.
Lewis agreed the money in their day was different.
“The contract promises started off at $28,000 a year before taxes, my rookie year," said Lewis.
In today’s game, the lowest salary for an NFL rookie is $750,000 as long the player is on an active roster throughout the season.
When they retired from the NFL, Lewis was 27 and Bunz was 30. It was a hard transition leaving the game and career they loved. What came next was a journey of rebuilding and reinventing their lives after football.
"Well, after you are released from a team, that's it. I mean, they give you a ticket home and that's it,” said Lewis.
One of the biggest struggles was finding a new career. Both Lewis and Bunz describe retiring as a fearful transitional moment in their lives.
“Am I going to make a second career? Who am I? You were a football player? Who are you now?" wondered Lewis.
He wishes counseling was available so former players had help transitioning their personal and professional lives.
After retiring from football, Lewis got into the insurance business and retired after 36 years. Bunz opened a sports bar in the Roseville area and became a teacher, retiring after 22 years.
Both Lewis and Bunz feel that in today's game, things are improving for players. Bunz highlights a recent 49ers roundtable he attended where current and former players were brought together to find out what support they needed.
“I think they're setting a way for the rest of the league to help players when they're done because there's a big transition," said Bunz.
But make no mistake. The two both say they'd play football again if they had the chance.
“I wouldn't change a thing. I would still play. It was a lot of fun. It opens a lot of doors for you and friendships,” said Lewis.
“Now I got a good neighbor I can go over and bug every once in awhile and share stories with,” said Bunz.
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