Balmer played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft with the 29th overall pick.

[1] He was originally drafted as a DT but was moved to DE due to the Niners 3-4 defensive scheme.

Balmer was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on August 16, 2010 in exchange for a sixth round pick in a future NFL Draft.

On August 2, 2012, it was reported that he did not show up to training camp two days in a row and his agent has not replied to any inquiries as to Balmer's whereabouts.

[3] Head coach Mike Shanahan announced that the team had finally made contact with Balmer on August 11, but did not explain the reason for his disappearance or his future with the Redskins.