Bumgardner grew up in West Virginia and helped lead his high school basketball team to a state championship in 1941.

He attended West Virginia University following a stint in the military during World War II, playing on the school's football team in 1946 and 1947.

Cleveland won the NFL championship game that year, aided by a diving touchdown catch by Bumgardner late in the fourth quarter.

[1] He played on a basketball team at Victory that won the state scholastic championship in 1941 under head coach Howard "Doc" Hutson.

[7] Led by an offense that featured quarterback Otto Graham, fullback Marion Motley and ends Mac Speedie and Dante Lavelli, Cleveland finished the 1950 season with a 10–2 record and won the NFL's American division.

[12] Browns placekicker Lou Groza made a field goal with 28 seconds left in the game to give Cleveland the victory.