Budda Baker

Budda Baker's Biography

Bishard “Budda” Baker, born on January 10, 1996, is recognized as an esteemed name in the world of American professional football. Holding the position of safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), he rose to prominence through his impressive performance both on and off the field.

Raised in Bellevue, Washington, Baker attended Bellevue High School. As a multi-talented athlete, he revealed his potential not only on the football field as a safety and running back but also on the track. His extraordinary skills and relentless commitment earned him the Seattle Times High School Athlete of the Year award in his senior year. A four-star recruit, Baker shined among his peers as one of the top safeties in his class. Initially committed to the University of Oregon, he switched to the University of Washington just before National Signing Day, starting his professional journey in football.

As a true freshman at Washington in 2014, Baker’s prodigious football talent shone through as he started all 14 games, accumulating 80 tackles, one interception, and one sack. His performance not only left an indelible mark on the field, but earned him significant recognition. Following his first year, he was named a Freshman All-American by USA Today. He further cemented this reputation in his sophomore year by being named to the All-Pac-12 Conference team, recording 49 tackles and two interceptions.

The young athlete continued his impressive trajectory into his junior year, earning the honor of being named a pre-season All-American in 2016. Concluding that year, honors like first-team All-American by The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America, along with the second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and The Associated Press bore testimony to his exceptional talent and hard work.

Proving himself beyond doubt at the university level, Baker decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL draft. His performance at the NFL Combine, where he completed all the positional drills, impressed many despite concerns about his smaller size affecting his performance at a professional level. Skilled at multiple positions, he was ranked as the top available nickelback in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock and among the best safety prospects by other organizations.

Baker’s progression into the NFL came when the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 36th overall. Baker, along with Kevin King and Sidney Jones, were three Washington defensive backs to be picked. After initial challenges that delayed his participation, he made his mark during the training camp and was named the backup free safety for the regular season.

The season-opener against the Detroit Lions marked Baker’s professional regular-season debut. His performance during the season, including a season-high 13 combined tackles in his first career start, pushed his career forward. He was named to the 2018 Pro Bowl as a special teamer, further solidifying his rookie reputation. Besides, he was awarded first-team All-Pro honors.

Transitioning into 2018 saw a few changes as head coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement, and Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks took up the head coaching position at Arizona. After competing for the starting strong safety against Tre Boston, Baker secured the position for himself. Furthermore, he was announced as the first-team nickel back, marking a steady rise in his career.

Career highlights continued as Baker was named to his second Pro Bowl for his phenomenal performance in 2019, leading the NFL in solo tackles. His influential presence on the field and consistent performance saw him signing a $59 million four-year extension contract with the Cardinals in 2020 — making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time.

Baker’s astounding performance continued into the 2020 season too, earning him another Pro Bowl and All-Pro nomination. He shone through with two sacks, 118 total tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 15 appearances and starts. The stats placed him on the 19th spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

Despite alterations in jersey number rules and a fracture that placed him on an injured reserve, Baker earned his fifth Pro Bowl nomination in 2022 and was named among the NFL Top 100 players for consecutive years. Throughout this time, he continued to display his dynamic ability on the field with outstanding tackles, interceptions, and forced fumbles.

As a figure of resilience and strength, he proved his indomitable spirit after returning from a hamstring injury in 2023. His hard work and determination have placed him on the NFL Top 100 players list repeatedly, honoring his professional prowess. Off the field, family strongly influences Baker. He received his nickname “Budda” from his mother who believed he resembled a Buddha doll as an infant, and tragically lost his older brother, Robert, in 2018. This family influence continues to be an instrumental part of his life and drives his professional career. As a spirited athlete and an incredible human being, Bishard “Budda” Baker’s trajectory serves as an inspiring story in American football.