David Bakhtiari

{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = David Bakhtiari

| image = David Bakhtiari 2015.jpg

| caption = Bakhtiari with the Green Bay Packers in 2015

| current_team =

| number =

| position = Offensive tackle

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|9|30}}

| birth_place = San Mateo, California, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lbs = 315

| high_school = Junípero Serra
(San Mateo, California)

| college = Colorado (2009–2012)

| draftyear = 2013

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 109

| pastteams =

| highlights =

| statweek =

| statseason = 2023

| statlabel1 = Games played

| statvalue1 = 131

| statlabel2 = Games started

| statvalue2 = 131

| pfr = B/BakhDa00

}}

David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari (born September 30, 1991) is an American professional football offensive tackle. Selected by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft, Bakhtiari played for the Packers for 11 seasons. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2009 to 2012.

Early life

David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari was born on September 30, 1991, in San Mateo, California. His older brother, Eric Bakhtiari, went on to play defensive end at the University of San Diego and for numerous NFL teams, most recently the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. His father, Karl Bakhtiari, immigrated from Iran and runs a real estate business in California. His mother is of Icelandic descent.{{cite web | url=https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/qa-with-new-packers-offensive-lineman-david-bakhtiari | title=Q&A with New Packers Offensive Lineman David Bakhtiari | date=April 27, 2013 }}

He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he lettered two years in football and lacrosse, being named a team captain during his second year.{{Cite web |title=David Bakhtiri |url=http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=204770339 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |publisher=University of Colorado}} A notable performance during his high school career in football came against Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, in which he held future USC Trojan Kevin Greene to no sacks and only allowed two tackles. In another game later in the season, he had at least eight pancake blocks. He was named Honorable Mention All-West Catholic Athletic League, All-Metro (Bay Area), and All-San Mateo County as a senior when he helped lead his team to a 6–1 league record, winning the 2008 WCAL Co-Championship with Bellarmine College Preparatory, and made it to the CIF-CCS Open Division Semi-finals, where they lost to the eventual champion Bellarmine Bells. He was also listed in the Bay Area News Group as number eight out of 25 players from northern California on their 2008 Cream of the Crop team.

Coming out of high school, Bakhtiari was {{convert|6|ft|4|in}} tall and weighed {{convert|266|lb}} and was ranked only as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.{{Cite web |title=David Bakhtiari Rivals |url=https://rivals.yahoo.com/colorado/football/recruiting/player-David-Bakhtiari-92366 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports}} In a 2009 interview, Bakhtiari commented: "People come up to me and go, 'Oh, you're only a two-star'. But I don't really care what my ranking is. All that matters is how you do when you put on the pads."{{Cite web |last=Munsterteiger |first=Adam |date=March 11, 2009 |title=Getting to know signee David Bakhtiari |url=https://colorado.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=894&script=%2Fcontent.asp&cid=922700 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029193541/https://colorado.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=894&script=%2Fcontent.asp&cid=922700 |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |publisher=Yahoo!}} He received interest from several schools, receiving offers and visiting Colorado, Utah, UTEP, and Washington before signing his letter of intent with Colorado. He graduated high school in 2009.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

College career

Bakhtiari decided to play for the University of Colorado, majoring in communications while playing for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 2009 to 2012. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2009.

During his first year on the field for the Buffaloes, he played in all twelve games, starting eleven. The one game he did not start was against Texas Tech, but he still was on the field for 24 snaps. He played the third-most snaps on the offense behind future New England Patriots and New York Giants offensive tackle Nate Solder and future Denver Broncos guard Ryan Miller with 796. Bakhtiari had 59 knockdown blocks, which was fourth on the team, his highest number coming against Iowa State. He allowed one quarterback sack and seven pressures and was flagged for six penalties. During the game against Kansas that year, he recovered an offensive fumble and returned it seven yards. For his efforts, he was named as an honorable mention for Freshman All-American honors by collegefootballnews.com. He was also a member of the All-Big 12-second-team for Academics.

Bakhtiari's redshirt sophomore campaign began with a severe injury to his knee in the season opener against Hawai’i on the seventh play of the game. He missed the next two games against California and LSU. Nonetheless, he still started the remaining games (11 total). He allowed two sacks on the year and was flagged once the entire season. At the end of the year, he was named as a member to the All-Pac-12 Conference second-team by the league's coaches and Phil Steele.{{Cite web |title=Pac12 football awards and all-conference team announced |url=http://pac-12.com/article/2012/11/26/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215101423/http://pac-12.com/article/2012/11/26/pac-12-football-awards-and-all-conference-team-announced |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2013 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |publisher=Pac-12}}{{Cite press release |title=PHIL STEELE'S 2012 POSTSEASON ALL-PAC-12 TEAM |date=December 11, 2012 |publisher=PhilSteele.com |url=http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2012/2012Postseason/PDF/2012%20Postseason%20All-Pac-12.pdf |access-date=October 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309013551/http://philsteele.com/All_Conference/2012/2012Postseason/PDF/2012%20Postseason%20All-Pac-12.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2013}}

Before his final season started, Bakhtiari was named to the preseason first-team All-Pac-12 squad.{{Cite web |last=Steele |first=Phil |date=May 17, 2012 |title=PHIL STEELE'S 2012 PRESEASON ALL-PAC-12 TEAM |url=https://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012PreseasonHonors/All-Pac-12.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031035522/http://www.philsteele.com/Pdf/2012PreseasonHonors/All-Pac-12.pdf |archive-date=October 31, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=Philsteele.com }} He started eleven games at left tackle, missing the game against Oregon with a knee sprain after attempting to play in the pre-game. He totaled 41 pancake blocks, and allowed 2.5 quarterback sacks and one pressure. His efforts gained him a spot on the watchlists for the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Award.{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Steve |date=July 12, 2012 |title=2012 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED |url=http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2012/outland120712.html |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=Sportswriters.net |publisher=Football Writers Association of America}}{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2012 |title=Rotary Lombardi watch list unveiled |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2012-07-16/rotary-lombardi-watch-list-unveiled |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=NCAA.com |publisher=NCAA |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030020225/http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2012-07-16/rotary-lombardi-watch-list-unveiled |url-status=dead }} Additionally, he earned second-team honors by the league coaches for the second year in a row.

On January 8, 2013, Bakhtiari announced his decision to forgo his senior season at Colorado and declare for the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2013 |title=Colorado OT David Bakhtiari declares for NFL draft |website=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/01/08/david-bakhtiari-colorado-nfl-draft/1819427/ |access-date=October 29, 2014 |agency=Associated Press}} He added that his declaration for the draft had nothing to do with Colorado's 1–11 season the year before and subsequent firing of head coach Jon Embree. Mike MacIntyre, the new head coach of Colorado, said that the team would have loved to have him but would fully support him in his endeavors.

Professional career

After declaring for the NFL draft, Bakhtiari stated he received a second or third round evaluation from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.{{Cite web |title=David Bakhtiari Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/david-bakhtiari/32004241-4b78-7653-c094-66c621e0417c |access-date=October 29, 2014 |publisher=National Football League}}

{{external media

| video1 = [http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap2000000153007/2013-Combine-workout-David-Bakhtiari David Bakhtiari's NFL Combine workout]

}}

{{nfl predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 4 1/4

| weight = 299

| dash = 5.09

| ten split = 1.77

| twenty split = 2.94

| shuttle = 4.74

| cone drill = 7.70

| vertical = 25.5

| broad ft = 8

| broad in = 5

| bench = 28

| wonderlic = 25

| arm span = 34

| hand span = 9 1/2

| note = All results from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=91468&DraftYear=2013 |title=David Bakhtiari, Colorado, OT, 2013 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=October 29, 2014}}

}}

The Green Bay Packers selected Bakhtiari in the fourth round, (109th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=McGinn |first=Bob |date=July 30, 2013 |title=Packers rookie tackle David Bakhtiari 'has all the tools' |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-rookie-tackle-david-bakhtiari-has-all-the-tools-b9965102z1-217699871.html |access-date=October 29, 2013 |website=Journal}} He was the ninth offensive tackle drafted and the first of two the Green Bay Packers drafted ahead of fourth round pick JC Tretter (122nd overall).{{Cite web |last=Boilard, Kevin |date=October 16, 2016 |title=Looking back at the 8 tackles who were drafted before David Bakhtiari |url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/green-bay-packers-david-bakhtiari-2013-nfl-draft-tackles-looking-back-012816 |access-date=March 16, 2018 |work=Fox Sports}}

During the Packers' 'Family Night' inter squad scrimmage later in training camp, starting left tackle Bryan Bulaga succumbed to a torn ACL injury. Due to the injury and Bakhtiari's play during training camp, he was inserted as the starting left tackle in the Packers first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Though they lost, it was later noted that one of the positives to take away was the steady play of the rookies.{{Cite news |last=Van Vooren |first=Tim |date=August 12, 2013 |title=Packers rookie David Bakhtiari takes over for Bryan Bulaga |work=News |publication-date=August 12, 2013 |url=http://fox6now.com/2013/08/12/packers-rookie-david-bakhtiari-takes-over-for-bryan-bulaga/ |access-date=October 29, 2014}} He later went on to start every game at left tackle for the Packers, becoming the first rookie to do so in Green Bay since the start of the 16-game schedule employed by the NFL since 1978 and the only NFL rookie to start every game that season at left tackle in 2013.{{Cite web |title=Packers Bio |url=http://www.packers.com/team/roster/David-Bakhtiari/32cea93b-33c5-458e-a68a-495f13db9615 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=Packers.com |publisher=Green Bay Packers}} He was a key contributor to Green Bay finishing seventh in the league for rushing (blocking for rookie running back Eddie Lacy) and sixth in passing for the first time since 2004.

File:David Bakhtiari 2019.jpg touchdown against the Washington Redskins in 2019 ]]

Following his rookie season, Bakhtiari worked significantly on his strength and continued to fight for his job at left tackle, prompting the Packers to move Bryan Bulaga to right tackle and have Bakhtiari at left.{{Cite news |last=Dunne |first=Tyler |date=June 19, 2014 |title=With added strength, David Bakhtiari ready for a new year |work=News |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/david-bakhtiari-ready-for-a-new-year-b99295082z1-263927121.html |access-date=October 29, 2014}} Later in the current Packers season, he was placed on the injury report for the game against the Miami Dolphins due to a back injury.{{Cite web |last=Spofford |first=Mike |date=October 9, 2014 |title=News now! Bakhtiari limited in practice due to back |url=http://blog.packers.com/2014/10/09/news-now-bakhtiari-limited-in-practice-due-to-back/ |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=Packers.com |publisher=Green Bay Packers |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030043828/http://blog.packers.com/2014/10/09/news-now-bakhtiari-limited-in-practice-due-to-back/ |url-status=dead }} He played in all 16 games of his sophomore season as well as the 2 playoff games.

On September 13, 2016, the Green Bay Packers signed Bakhtiari to a four-year, $48 million contract extension that includes $16.7 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: David Bakhtiari contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/david-bakhtiari-12390/ |access-date=March 16, 2018 |website=spotrac.cim}}{{Cite web |title=Packers sign T David Bakhtiari to a contract extension |url=http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-roster-moves/article-1/Packers-sign-T-David-Bakhtiari-to-a-contract-extension/bee7a64b-37c6-478e-99a2-f6c372ee5188?campaign=sf35803376_TW_C-Content-GB_CT-Press+Release-GB_sf35803376 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826072213/http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-roster-moves/article-1/Packers-sign-T-David-Bakhtiari-to-a-contract-extension/bee7a64b-37c6-478e-99a2-f6c372ee5188?campaign=sf35803376_TW_C-Content-GB_CT-Press+Release-GB_sf35803376#ixzz4K9Rzl1lg |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=September 14, 2016 |website=Packers.com}}

On November 15, 2020, the Packers signed Bakhtiari to a four-year, $105.5 million contract extension that would make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.{{Cite web |title=David Bakhtiari signs contract extension, excited about future with Packers |url=https://www.packers.com/news/david-bakhtiari-signs-contract-extension-excited-about-future-with-packers |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=Packers.com}} On December 21, 2020, he was selected for the 2021 Pro Bowl.{{cite web | title=NFL reveals complete AFC, NFC rosters for 2021 Pro Bowl | website=NFL.com | date=2020-12-22 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-reveals-complete-afc-nfc-rosters-for-2021-pro-bowl | access-date=2024-09-24}} On December 31, 2020, Bakhtiari tore his ACL in practice and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web |title=Packers will 'rally around each other' in David Bakhtiari's absence |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-will-rally-around-each-other-in-david-bakhtiari-s-absence |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=packers.com}} He was placed on injured reserve two days later.{{Cite web |title=Packers place T David Bakhtiari on injured reserve |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-place-t-david-bakhtiari-on-injured-reserve |access-date=January 2, 2021 |website=packers.com}} On January 8, 2021, he made the 2020 All-Pro Team first-team.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL All-Pro Team Roster |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-new-york-kansas-david-bakhtiari-myles-garrett-1596423dbed4c2137b4a6e24281faad6 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |work=Associated Press News|date=January 8, 2021 }}

Bakhtiari was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the 2021 season, which meant he would miss at least the first six games. He was activated on November 10, 2021, ahead of the Packers' Week 10 game against the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web|title=Packers activate T David Bakhtiari from PUP|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-activate-t-david-bakhtiari-from-pup|website=Packers.com|date=November 10, 2021}} However, he was declared inactive for nearly every game of the remainder of the regular season. On January 9, 2022, ahead of the season finale against the Detroit Lions, the Packers declared Bakhtiari active for the first time since Week 16 of the previous season. Bakhtiari played 20 snaps in the first half before third-string left tackle Yosh Nijman relieved him for the remainder of the game.{{cite web | last=Treash | first=Anthony | title=NFL Week 18 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 37, Green Bay Packers 30 | website=PFF | date=2022-01-09 | url=https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-18-game-recap-detroit-lions-37-green-bay-packers-30 | access-date=2024-09-24}} The Packers had a bye for the first-round of the playoffs with their conference-best 13–4 record, and played against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. On the morning of the game, the Packers declared Bakhtiari inactive for the game,{{cite web | last=Didion | first=Alex | title=49ers' Thomas, Packers' Bakhtiari inactive for playoff clash | website=NBC Sports Bay Area & California | date=2022-01-22 | url=https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/49ers-thomas-packers-bakhtiari-inactive-for-playoff-clash/1173741/ | access-date=2024-09-24}} with starting right tackle Billy Turner replacing Bakhtiari at the left tackle spot after returning from injury.

On December 2, 2022, the Packers announced Bakhtiari had to have an emergency appendectomy and would be forced to miss the Week 13 game of the 2022 season against the Chicago Bears.{{cite web|publisher=National Football League|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/packers-ot-david-bakhtiari-undergoes-emergency-appendectomy-will-miss-week-13-vs|title=Packers OT David Bakhtiari undergoes emergency appendectomy, will miss Week 13 vs. Bears|date=December 2, 2022|accessdate=December 3, 2022|first=Nick|last=Shook}}

Bahktiari was placed on injured reserve on September 28, 2023, with a knee injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-place-t-david-bakhtiari-on-injured-reserve-2023|title=Packers place T David Bakhtiari on injured reserve|publisher=packers.com|date=September 28, 2023|accessdate=September 28, 2023}} In October 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the 2023 season due to a surgery on his knee.{{Cite web |last=Hodkiewicz |first=Wes |date=October 6, 2023 |title=David Bakhtiari addresses season-ending knee injury, his future |url=https://www.packers.com/news/david-bakhtiari-addresses-season-ending-knee-injury-his-future |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Packers.com}}

On March 11, 2024, Bakhtiari was released by the Packers after 11 seasons.{{cite web|title=Packers release T David Bakhtiari|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-t-david-bakhtiari|website=Packers.com|date=March 11, 2024}}

NFL career statistics

=Regular season=

class="wikitable"

! colspan="2"| Legend

Bold

| Career high

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="8"| Offense

GPGSSnapsPctHoldingFalse startDecl/PenAcpt/Pen
2013GB

| 16 || 16 || 1,119 || 100% || 6 || 2 || 3 || 10

2014GB

| 16 || 16 || 1,006 || 96% || 6 || 1 || 1 || 8

2015GB

| 14 || 14 || 956 || 96% || 6 || 4 || 1 || 11

2016GB

| 16 || 16 || 1,055 || 97% || 3 || 2 || 2 || 5

2017GB

| 12 || 12 || 754 || 96% || 2 || 0 || 0 || 2

2018GB

| 16 || 16 || 1,031 || 96% || 2 || 2 || 0 || 4

2019GB

| 16 || 16 || 1,075 || 100% || 6 || 5 || 0 || 12

2020GB

| 12 || 12 || 758 || 96% || 2 || 2 || 0 || 4

2021GB

| 1 || 1 || 27 || 40%|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

2022GB

| 11 || 11 || 597 || 84% || 3 || 1 || 0 || 4

2023GB

| 1 || 1 || 55 || 92% || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| Career1311318,43381%3619760
colspan="10"| Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakhDa00.htm pro-football-reference.com]

Personal life

Bakhtiari resides in Burlingame, California. While in high school, he created the Fund a Dream Scholarship, and also signed autographs at the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer in exchange for donations benefiting cancer research. He also visited homeless shelters and nursing homes while attending the University of Colorado. On July 2, 2020, Bakhtiari proposed to his girlfriend Frankie Shebby who he has been dating since October 2017.{{Cite web |last=Meinert |first=Kendra |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari surprises his girlfriend with a marriage proposal on the water |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2020/07/06/packers-offensive-tackle-david-bakhtiari-surprises-his-girlfriend-marriage-proposal-boat/5383231002/ |access-date=November 15, 2020 |website=Green Bay Press-Gazette}} The couple married on March 5, 2022.{{cite web |title=Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari marries Frankie Shebby in outdoor ceremony Saturday in California |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/fans/2022/03/06/david-bakhtiari-marries-frankie-shebby-saturday-outdoor-ceremony/9403874002/ |first=Kendra |last=Meinert |date=March 6, 2022 |access-date=March 6, 2022}}

Their first child, a daughter they named Felix Ann Bakhtiari, was born December 7, 2022.

Bakhtiari introduced the Packers to the board game Settlers of Catan which soon became a team favorite.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Kevin |date=January 15, 2015 |title=Green Bay's Board-Game Obsession |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-packers-of-catan-green-bays-board-game-obsession-1421346102 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |website=The Wall Street Journal}} He was also responsible for a group of Packers players appearing in Pitch Perfect 2, when he reached out to director Elizabeth Banks on Twitter.{{cite web | last1=Andriakos | first1=Jacqueline | last2=Tauber | first2=Michelle | title=Pitch Perfect 2: Max Handelman Talks Green Bay Packers Appearance | website=People | date=2015-05-11 | url=https://people.com/sports/pitch-perfect-2-max-handelman-talks-green-bay-packers-appearance/ | access-date=2024-09-24}}

References

{{Reflist}}