Zach Tom is now Zach Bako-Bewele.
The Packers’ right tackle changed his surname to honor his Nigerian ancestry, telling reporters he wanted a name that represented his heritage, as Bako is his paternal grandmother’s last name and Bewele is his paternal grandfather’s last name.
“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,” Bako-Bewele said. “People will see that name and have a good understanding of who I am, where I come from.”
Bako-Bewele had his new last name on the back of his No. 50 jersey at Sunday’s practice.
The 27-year-old said he’s not entirely sure what other protocols he must go through to get the league to approve the last name change, but knows he has to get a new driver’s license and social security card.
While Bako-Bewele began the process of changing his last name in March, it’s been on his mind for longer.
“Yeah, probably for a few years, probably back since college at least,” he said. “But this offseason, I kind of did a little bit more research. It just kind of came to me, and I just wanted to do it. I had time, so I was just like, ‘Let’s just go ahead and get it done.’”
Bako-Bewele missed the final four games of 2025 with a partially torn patellar tendon.
After undergoing surgery, he’s been limited to individual drills and walk-through snaps, though he’s optimistic about a Week 1 return.
“It’s getting better,” he said. “Hopefully I can start doing team [drills] within a week or so, but yeah I mean I’m out there moving around. I feel good, look good, so it’s time to get it going.”
Bako-Bewele was excellent when healthy last season, as his 83.5 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 7th among 89 tackles.
