Bryan Niemeyer played baseball, football, became attorney
When he'd signed with the Red Sox, a big incentive was his schooling. The Red Sox would pay for it, The News wrote.
"It's worked out so far and I like sending them (Boston) the bill for my education," Niemeyer told The News then.
For Niemeyer, though, his baseball career was all but done. He'd be released the next year before getting into a game.
But he had some athletics left in him, and it would come with his schooling. After having played quarterback in high school, he walked on with the Ohio State football team and made it as a QB backup.
He also used his schooling for his post-athletics career, as an attorney.
Niemeyer's baseball career began in 1989, taken by the Red Sox in the 34th round of the draft out of Minster High School in Ohio.
Niemeyer cited the education guarantee as tipping the scales for him in deciding to forgo a scholarship to the University of Toledo, according to the Sidney Daily News.
"They guaranteed my college education, and that's what decided it for me," Niemeyer told The Daily News. "I don't think I would have considered it if they hadn't said they'd pay for college."
With the Red Sox, Niemeyer started in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw nine games and started one. He went 1-1, with a 5.16 ERA.
He then returned to the GCL for 1990 and went 3-3, with a 3.56 ERA in 14 outings, seven starts. He was then released the next June and returned to Ohio State.
At Ohio State, though, some roommates encouraged him to walk on with the football team, he told The News. He made it, and was seen as the traveling spare QB. He was also on Ohio State's 1993 Citrus Bowl roster. He later recalled has having got into the end of a single game, against Northwestern.
"I'm just here having fun on the team," Niemeyer told The News during spring football workouts in 1992. "Both goals of mine have been reached, and I consider myself lucky."
Niemeyer later returned home in Ohio and became an attorney in Sidney. In 2026, he continued as a partner at FGKS Law, focusing on labor and employment law.
- Sidney Daily News, June 14, 1989: Niemeyer signs with Red Sox
- Lima News, Sept. 11, 1990: Niemeyer ready to hit the books
- Lima News, May 4, 1992: Niemeyer pinch-hits football for baseball
Made the Majors:1,482-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,196-68.3%-X