Packers OT Zach Tom changes name to Zach Bako-Bewele ahead of 2026 season
Bako-Bewele's new last name comes from his paternal grandparents, who are Nigerian.
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Zach Tom, formerly known as Zach Tom, has legally changed his last name to Bako-Bewele ahead of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old linebacker chose a last name that reflects his family history, combining the Nigerian last names of his paternal grandparents. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Bako-Bewele stated, "Especially when I start having kids and stuff, I want to have a name that I can pass down where it represents where they came from, where I came from."
His name change has been officially recognized by the team, with his new name plate and profile reflected on his locker and the Packers' website. Tom, who was drafted by the Packers in 2022, has been with the team since then, signing a four-year extension last summer that includes a $30.2 million signing bonus. This season, he is expected to start at right tackle.
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