Bishard “Budda” Baker, born January 10, 1996, in Bellevue, Washington, is a professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his relentless energy and playmaking ability, Baker earned his nickname “Budda” from his mother, Michelle, who thought he resembled a Buddha doll as a baby. Raised in a tight-knit family, Baker’s journey from a standout high school athlete to an NFL star was shaped by his resilience and family support. After starring at Bellevue High School as a safety and running back, he played college football at the University of Washington, where his talent quickly shone. Drafted by the Cardinals in 2017, Baker has become one of the league’s premier defensive backs, known for his tackling prowess and leadership on and off the field.
Siblings
Budda grew up in a family with three siblings, each playing a significant role in his life. His older brother, Robert Baker, was a pivotal figure until his tragic death in 2018. Robert, who was 29 at the time, was shot in a targeted killing in Seattle, an event that deeply affected Budda and his family. Robert had served seven years in prison for robbery but was released in 2016, hoping to rebuild his life and support Budda’s rising career. The two shared a close bond, with Robert inspiring Budda to channel his grief into his performance on the field. Budda’s older sister, Latoya Dukes, is a mother of three and an author who published a book in 2018 titled Breakthrough The Unbreakable, detailing her experiences with trauma.
Latoya has been vocal in supporting Budda, often sharing family moments and Cardinals-related posts on social media. She informed Budda of Robert’s death, highlighting their close sibling connection during a time of immense loss. Budda’s younger sister, Mary Carter, born around 2004, gained attention through her appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks In Season, which showcased the Arizona Cardinals. Mary, a high school student at the time, lived with Budda in his Paradise Valley home and was accepted into Arizona State University with his financial support.
Career
Baker’s football career began at Bellevue High School, where he excelled as a two-way player and track athlete, earning the Seattle Times High School Athlete of the Year award as a senior. A four-star recruit, he initially committed to the University of Oregon but switched to the University of Washington, a decision that proved pivotal. As a true freshman in 2014, Baker started all 14 games for the Huskies, recording 80 tackles, one interception, and one sack, earning Freshman All-American honors from USA Today. Over three college seasons, he amassed 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, 18 pass deflections, and five interceptions, earning consensus All-American honors in 2016.
Declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft, Baker was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (36th overall) after the team traded up to secure him. Despite concerns about his smaller stature (5’10”, 194 lbs), Baker quickly proved his worth. In his rookie season, he started after an injury to teammate Tyvon Branch, recording a season-high 13 tackles and a sack in a game against the Houston Texans. His relentless work ethic and versatility as a strong safety propelled him to become a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ defense. In 2020, Baker signed a four-year, $59 million extension, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time. He received a raise in 2023, adding $2.4 million in bonuses, and a three-year extension through 2027, worth $54 million with $30 million guaranteed, reflecting his value to the team.
Accolades
Baker is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, earning the honor every year from 2017 to 2023, a testament to his consistency and peer recognition. Baker has also been named a four-time All-Pro, including First-Team All-Pro in 2017 and 2020, highlighting his elite performance among NFL defensive backs. During his college career, he was a consensus All-American in 2016, named to the first team by Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America, and second team by the American Football Coaches Association and The Associated Press.
His 147 tackles in the 2019 NFL season ranked him among the league’s best, and he has been voted into the NFL Top 100 by his peers every year since 2020. Off the field, Baker’s leadership and sportsmanship earned him a nomination for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, recognizing his exemplary character.