Badara Traore

Badara Traore, an American professional football offensive tackle, was born on March 12, 1997, to his parents Bakary Traore and Rouguiatou Kaba, both African immigrants. Badara Traore has a notable career in football that begins in his hometown of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, where he spent his childhood years. Raised in a vibrant community, he attended Matignon High School, committing time each day to a long, two-hour commute.

Growing up, Traore showed great potential in both football and basketball during high school. He later refined his focus on football and continued his journey at ASA College in Brooklyn, New York, where he built a formidable career over two seasons. With his career steadily progressing, he made a pivotal decision in 2018 to transition to Louisiana State University (LSU). Forsaking offers from 26 elite schools including Oklahoma, Auburn, and Texas, Traore chose to center his collegiate football career at LSU.

In his debut season at LSU, he participated in all 13 games, started two, and gained recognition as “one of the most improved players on the team” by the head coach, Ed Orgeron. While Traore’s performance in his senior year saw him acting as the backup right tackle to Austin Deculus with contributing snaps on special teams, he shone brightly during his final season at the university. He played in 13 games, earning three essential starts against Georgia Southern, Ole Miss, and Arkansas.

His career took an exciting turn when Traore signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 NFL draft on April 25, 2020. He was shortly waived on September 5, 2020, but rejoined the practice squad the following day. A significant moment in his career was on October 10, 2020, when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for COVID-19. Despite the setback, Traore signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears on January 11, 2021.

Despite being waived by the Bears in August 2021, Traore demonstrated resilience as he seized a new opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was claimed off waivers. Nonetheless, his stint with the Jaguars was brief as he was eventually waived in August 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Traore made his NFL debut on January 9, 2022, against the formidable Indianapolis Colts. His performance not only marked a new chapter in his career but also led to a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2022.

Following his stint with the Jaguars, in the fall of 2022, Traore transitioned to the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. His performance later earned him a spot on the active roster by October 2022. Traore subsequently signed a reserve/future contract on January 11, 2023. Unfortunately, late in 2023, he was released by the Cardinals.

In December 2023, Traore shifted his career path as he joined the DC Defenders of the XFL for the upcoming 2024 season. Shortly after, he was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, but his journey with the Panthers was not smooth. He was waived/injured by August 22.

On August 22, 2024, Traore departed from the Panthers with an injury settlement. Beyond the field, he achieved academic success when in 2020, he graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, marking an important personal achievement. His family’s sporting success continued with his younger brother, Boubacar, who played defensive end at Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, MA, and later played for Notre Dame in 2023.