Packers David Bakhtiari rocks Colorado Buffaloes hat for trip to Chicago
David Bakhtiari wore black jeans and a t-shirt for his traveling attire Saturday to Chicago. But his hat made the outfit.
Bakhtiari, the starting left tackle for the Packers, threw it back to his time as a Colorado Buffalo. And the Buffs, with new coach Deion Sanders, are surging. The Packers shared a photo and some video of the big tackle as he walked towards the team plane. The only caption needed was “David Bakhtiari reppin’ Colorado football.”
David Bakhtiari played for the Buffs from 2009-12. He was a lightly recruited offensive lineman coming out of California. Rivals listed him as only a two star. But he fit in well in Boulder, earning a starting job his freshman season. He left CU after three seasons and declared for the draft.
Bakhtiari didn’t finish his degree, but he kept taking classes while he played with the Packers. Finally, last summer, he earned his diploma. He maintained a perfect 4.0 during his second stint as a college student.
How he started. How he finished. @DavidBakhtiari left @CUBoulder & @CUBuffsFootball early for NFL. He always knew he’d get that diploma & he’s been chipping away. This summer he finished what he started & completed his last class! AND since his return, a perfect 4.0!
— Kris Livingston☮️ (@KrisLivi) July 11, 2022
🖤💛🦬🎓❤️ pic.twitter.com/ipCJHsDKUU
Earlier Saturday, before Bakhtiari hopped on the team plane, his Buffs beat up on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 36-14, for their second straight win. The Buffaloes definitely are the darlings of college football. ESPN’s College GameDay traveling road show is headed to Boulder for next Saturday’s game against Colorado State.
Now, how will the Packers do? How will David Bakhtiari do? He hasn’t practiced since Aug. 30, although he said he plans on playing against the Bears.
“He’s a guy who has banked a ton of reps,” coach Matt LaFleur told reporters. “He feels good physically and so we anticipate him out there on Sunday.”
Bakhtiari has had knee issues dating back to Colorado. But the most severe came on New Year’s Eve, 2020. His knee surgeries since then have cost him nearly two seasons. That’s why LaFleur is allowing Bakhtiari, the oldest guy on the roster, to ride a stationary bike during practices.
He recently spoke to The Athletic on how he sees the Packers this season as they start their post-Aaron Rodgers chapter.
“I’d like to see that we have a young team that no one knows s— about that everyone counts out and that’s great,” David Bakhtiari said. “But a relentless young team that’s gonna beat you to a f—ing pulp and not quit because they’re just too young to f—ing know any better. That’s what I would like to see. That’s a winning recipe for a young team.
He added: “That’s what I love seeing about this team, and that’s the identity and recipe that I see as a successful Green Bay Packers for 2023.”