Early years

Bunch was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1968. At age five, he lost the fourth toe on his right foot in an accident involving a lawnmower. Bunch attended Ashtabula High School, where he was a star football player and set high school records in pole vault and discus. He became the first student from the school to be awarded a scholarship to attend a Division I college for football, as well as the first to go to the NFL.

University of Michigan

Bunch enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1986 and played college football as a fullback for the Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1987 to 1990. He came to Michigan intent on playing tailback, but with Jamie Morris securing that spot, Bunch was converted to the fullback position. Bunch started nine games at fullback in 1987, five games in 1988, five games in 1989, and 10 games in 1990. He also served as captain of the 1990 team that compiled 9-3 record, defeated Ole Miss in the 1991 Gator Bowl and finished the season ranked #7 in the final AP Poll. In four years at Michigan, Bunch gained 1,346 rushing yards on 311 carries with eight rushing touchdowns. He also caught 30 passes for 215 yards and four touchdowns.

Bunch graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management and Communications and used the fifth year of his football scholarship to attend graduate school.

Professional football

Bunch was selected by the New York Giants in the first round (27th overall pick) of the 1991 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Bunch appeared in 16 games, mostly on special teams, and he was limited to one rushing attempt for no gain and two catches for eight yards. He became a starter during the 1992 NFL season, starting 13 games at fullback while gaining 501 rushing yards, catching 11 passes for 50 yards, and scoring four touchdowns. His average of 4.8 yards per rushing attempt in 1992 ranked second in the NFL. In 1993, Bunch sustained a knee injury in the first week of training camp. During the 1993 season, Bunch started 13 games, but was used only sporadically in new head coach Dan Reeves' offensive scheme. Bunch was limited to 128 rushing yards (3.9 yards per carry), 98 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. He did not carry the ball in an NFL game after the 1993 season.

Bunch underwent surgeries on his knees and feet during the off-season before the 1994 NFL season. He was cut by the Giants in the final round of cuts before the start of the regular season. Two weeks later, he signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as a replacement for Napoleon McCallum. However, he appeared in only three games for the Raiders, none as a starter, and had no rushing attempts or receptions. He was waived by the Raiders in October 1994, marking the end of his NFL playing career.

Later years

After his playing career ended, Bunch pursued a career as an actor. He moved to Los Angeles in 2002. His acting credits include the role of the young George Foreman in the HBO film, Don King: Only in America. He has also had roles in the television series CSI Miami, Rizzoli & Isles, and Entourage. He also appeared in "Django Unchained" and has appeared in more than 30 national commercials.

Filmography

• Reach Me (2014)
• Django Unchained (2012)
• Rizzoli & Isles - "I Kissed a Girl" (2010) TV Episode
• The Forgotten - "Football John" (2010) TV Episode
• Once Fallen (2010)
• Doozers (2010)
• Stileto (2009)
• Good Time Max (2006)
• The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2006)
• Entourage - "What About Bob?" (2006) TV Episode
• Two for the Money (2005)
• ER - Refusal of Care (2005) TV Episode
• JAG - "This Just in from Baghdad" (2004) TV Episode
• The Kings of Brooklyn (2004)
• 100 Centre Street - "Daughters" (2001) - "Let's Make a Night of It" (2001) TV Episodes
• Way Off Broadway (2001)
• Chosen' (2001)
• The Dancer' (2000)
• The Last Supper (2000)
• Third Watch - "Patterns" (1999) TV Episode
• The Best Man (1999)
• After Hours Happy Hour (1999)
• 18 Shades of Dust (1999)
• New York Undercover - "Catharsis" (1998) TV Episode

[ Source: Wikipedia ]