Where are they now?

Grant Bearbower was a key member of the Wartburg football team’s defensive lines of the mid 1990s. A dominant defensive end, he was a two-time all-Iowa Conference first team selection. In his senior year in 1995 he was named the team’s defensive MVP and earned second team All-American honors. Bearbower played a large role as Wartburg won Iowa Conference titles in 93 and 94 and qualified for the NCAA Division-Three playoffs. He finished his career with 79 unassisted tackles and 95 assisted. He also recorded 24-career sacks.

Grant, a Vinton native, chose Wartburg as he liked the family atmosphere the football program offered. He also had a good relation with the Knights coaches; head coach Bob Nielson and line coaches Roger Britton and Don Erusha. One of Grant’s favorite memories as a Knight was a come from behind 22-21 playoff win at Central in the NCAA Playoffs. The victory avenged a one-point loss to the Dutch during the regular season.

A Business Administration Major, Grant now resides in Burnsville, Minnesota where he is a territory manager for Dentsply International, a dental supply company. He and his wife Lori have a 7-year old daughter Natalie, a one-year old son Braden and are expecting their third child this November.

Grant felt his time in football at Wartburg helped him develop a strong work ethic. He also learned how important it is to be prepared in doing the right things to be successful in life.
Grant still has close relations with many former Wartburg football players and considers them to be his best friends.

On October 17th Grant will be inducted into the Wartburg Athletic Hall of Fame.