Damiere Byrd had dedicated his life to football.
As a former wide receiver, football had been his day job. After playing college ball at the University of South Carolina and nine seasons in the NFL, including five with the Carolina Panthers, Byrd needed to find a new way to define himself after he retired in 2024.
He has found that as a small business owner in Charlotte at age 32.
“Once I retired,” Byrd said, “I had to kind of figure out what I wanted to do here in the community in Charlotte.”
Even while bouncing around to different teams, Byrd stayed settled in Charlotte, where he met his wife and started his family.
During his career as a wide receiver, Byrd played for the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills. In 2017, Byrd was named NFC Special Teams Player of Week for a 103-yard kickoff return, the longest kickoff return in Panthers history.
Byrd signed with the Panthers in 2015 and played with the team through 2018. He returned to the team for the 2023 season.
Damiere Byrd secured a pass during the Panthers’ Fan Fest practice at Bank of America Stadium in August 2023. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Byrd’s new business
He opened Bumble Roofing of Charlotte, which is a franchise of Bumble Roofing.
Byrd always knew he wanted to own his own business in some way. He was drawn to the franchise system because of the support it provided for him to start out.
Bumble Roofing was founded in Los Angeles in 2019. Bumble Roofing of Charlotte is the first franchise of the company to open in North Carolina.
Byrd was drawn to the strong branding of the company. He explained that with all the new construction and older homes in need of upkeep, there was a gap he could fill by providing reliable roofers.
“I had no idea that I would end up being in a trade or a construction home service industry. But it just so happened and that’s what made sense for me at the time,” Byrd said.
Byrd doesn’t just own the business. He is involved in the day-to-day operations, and is with his team doing inspections, repairs and installations.
Currently, Byrd, his salesperson and three installation crews make up the business
Byrd said that while he faced the usual challenges of starting a business, navigating the workforce was unfamiliar territory at first. However, he is eager to continue to grow his roofing business.
Moving on from the NFL
While life after football has been different for Byrd, it also has been the same in many ways.
“It’s the same get up and go, and you’re busy,” he said. “But it’s a different type of busy, and it’s a lot of the same characteristics that I’ve been able to use over again throughout my NFL career.”
Damiere Byrd spent nine seasons in the NFL, including five with the Panthers. Jeff Siner jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Byrd explained that the problem-solving skills he learned in the NFL have helped him in his business, such as being able to come up with solutions on the go.
He also stated that the characteristics and attributes professional athletes develop translate into skills for success in the business world, such as being able to “grind it out” by driving around, making appointments and having a quick turn-around time.
Byrd also emphasized the importance of professional athletes having something to focus on outside of sports. He said that athletes often retire before they feel ready, and Byrd suggested that having a plan for what to do after sports helps make the transition easier.
“I think, first and foremost, the most important thing is to look within yourself to find out who you are outside your sport,” Byrd said. “Once you’re able to find that out, you’ll naturally fall into the path you’re meant to follow.”