Erik Pears and Jim Tomsula may only be a few months into their player-coach relationship, but their history dates back nearly a decade and spans the Atlantic Ocean.
After going undrafted in 2005 out of Colorado State, Pears spent his rookie season on the Denver Broncos practice squad. The following spring, the offensive lineman was assigned to play in NFL Europe for the Cologne Centurions.
That year, Pears’ team, which included former 49ers special teams ace Bubba Ventrone, faced off twice against the Rhein Fire – coached by none other than Tomsula himself.
When Pears visited the San Francisco 49ers facility as a free agent earlier this offseason, the lineman and coach bonded over their international experience.