Bauer played college football for the Weber State Wildcats before being drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1979.
After carrying on other business opportunities for five years, he returned to the Blue Bombers in 2000 as president and chief executive officer, playing a key role in steering the team out of financial trouble.
[4] Bauer's 1985 season was cut short due to torn knee ligaments,[15][16] which he sustained in a 31–10 win against the BC Lions on October 11.
[17] Bauer was named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Lineman in 1988,[4] despite being part of the franchise's starting five tackles[18] that conceded 67 sacks, the second worst in the league.
[21] Upon retiring from professional football after the 1991 season, Bauer was appointed assistant general manager of the Blue Bombers.
[22][23] He held this role for three years before stepping down to pursue other business ventures,[24] which led to him relocating to Calgary to become general manager of AgPro Grain.
Under Bauer's leadership, the Blue Bombers were able to initially reduce their debt to $300,000, before reportedly finishing with a positive balance of about C$5 million by the end of his tenure.
[32][20] He resided close to Slocan Lake, British Columbia, during his later years,[20] and maintained a winter home in St. George, Utah.
[25][32][34] He underwent 28 sessions radiation treatments and chemotherapy until February of the following year,[32][35] and continued to be present at CFL meetings despite being unable to speak.