David Bakhtiari

BIOGRAPHY

David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari, a renowned figure in the professional football landscape, particularly known for his time with the Green Bay Packers, was born on the 30th of September 1991. Bakhtiari’s story begins in San Mateo, California, where he spent his early years honing his athletic skills in football and lacrosse. His older brother, Eric Bakhtiari, also followed a similar path, playing as a defensive end for the University of San Diego and the Tennessee Titans. Their father Karl Bakhtiari, an Iranian immigrant, oversaw a thriving real estate business in California, and their mother boasts an interesting Icelandic lineage.

David Bakhtiari’s commitment to the sports was evident in his high school days at Junípero Serra High School, where he served as a team captain, and his remarkable performance against Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory still lingers in the minds of many sports enthusiasts. Following his successful high school career, the promising athlete received interest from several universities, eventually deciding to play for the University of Colorado.

Concurrently, Bakhtiari pursued a major in communications and played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 2009 to 2012. He made significant contributions to the team, starting eleven out of twelve games in his first season, creating 59 knockdown blocks, and gaining an honorable mention for Freshman All-American honors by collegefootballnews.com and a spot on the All-Big 12-second-team for Academics. Unfortunately, an injury at the beginning of his redshirt sophomore year sidelined him temporarily, yet his overall performance established him as a notable player.

Upon deciding to forego his senior season at Colorado, Bakhtiari declared for the 2013 NFL draft. Despite the Buffaloes’ disappointing preceding season and the leave of their head coach, Jon Embree, Bakhtiari’s decision stemmed from his personal choice rather than the team’s circumstances. His declaration sparked interest from various teams and eventually led to his selection by the Green Bay Packers.

At the Packers, Bakhtiari carved out a niche for himself, starting every game at left tackle, a first for a rookie at Green Bay since the 16-game schedule began in 1978. His excellent performance continued, earning him significant recognition and paving the way for a four-year contract in 2016, worth $48 million. The standout offensive lineman further secured a generous contract extension in 2020, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. However, an unfortunate ACL tear the same year marked an end to his season.

After a period of recovery, Bakhtiari resumed play in 2021 but struggled with game-time. Although his return was anticipated for the first-round of playoffs, he was declared inactive for the game with the San Francisco 49ers. Further health issues impacted his play. In December 2022, Bakhtiari underwent an emergency appendectomy, missing the Week 13 game. The following year in 2023, a knee injury and subsequent surgery ruled him out for the remainder of that season.

Bakhtiari’s association with the Green Bay Packers ended on March 11, 2024, after playing for the team for an impressive 11 seasons. Off the field, Bakhtiari lives in Burlingame, California, where he dedicates his time to charitable pursuits. He established the Fund a Dream Scholarship while in high school and has been known to visit homeless shelters and nursing homes. In his personal life, Bakhtiari married his girlfriend Frankie Shebby in 2022, and they welcomed their first child, Felix Ann Bakhtiari, later that year.

Conclusively, David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari emerges as an embodiment of grit, persistence, talent, and compassion. Despite the hurdles, his football career bears a mark of steadfastness, reflecting a player who always takes on challenges with unwavering determination. Off the field, he translates this spirit into actions that positively impact society, thus solidifying his legacy as a respected athlete and admired individual.