David Bakhtiari
He became the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman by mastering the left tackle position, protecting Aaron Rodgers' blind side for a decade.
Born 1991 (age 35)·American football player·Birthday: September 30·Millennials
Biography
David Bakhtiari's path to football's upper echelon wasn't a foregone conclusion. A fourth-round draft pick out of Colorado in 2013, he was thrust into a starting role as a rookie for the Green Bay Packers and never looked back. With a blend of technical precision and formidable strength, he quickly established himself as one of the game's premier left tackles, a guardian of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His career, however, became a compelling narrative of peak performance battling persistent injury. After signing a landmark contract in 2020, a severe knee injury began a long and public struggle for recovery, limiting his availability but showcasing his relentless dedication. His 11-season tenure in Green Bay was defined by both elite play and resilience, leaving a complex legacy of what might have been alongside what undeniably was.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned First-Team All-Pro honors twice (2018, 2020) for his dominant play at left tackle.
- Signed a four-year, $92 million contract extension in 2020, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history at the time.
- Was selected to the Pro Bowl three consecutive times from 2019 to 2021.
- Started 111 games for the Green Bay Packers over 11 seasons, anchoring their offensive line.
Did You Know?
His full name is David Afrasiab Assad Bakhtiari, reflecting his Persian heritage.
He played college football at the University of Colorado alongside his older brother, Eric Bakhtiari.
He is an avid and skilled golfer, often participating in celebrity tournaments.
“I’ve given everything I have to the game, and the game has given everything back to me.”
