[2] Bass received a scholarship to the University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor,[2] enrolling in 1963, and played halfback for the Wolverines from 1964 to 1966.
[2] Bass was selected by the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the twelfth round (314th overall) of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.
In February 1969, Bass signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins, now led by general manager and head coach Vince Lombardi.
The Redskins advanced to Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles, where they lost 14–7 to the undefeated Miami Dolphins.
Bass scored Washington's only points when he picked up placekicker Garo Yepremian's botched pass, following a blocked field goal, and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
[1] In July 1976, Bass announced his retirement from football due to a neck injury the prior year that was re-injured during the 1976 pre-season.
[2][9][10] After retiring from the NFL, Bass moved to the Freeport, Bahamas, where he owned and operated the Channel House Resort Club.