Packers tackle Zach Bako-Bewele changes surname

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Zach Bako-Bewele, previously known as Zach Tom, has formally changed his surname, completing the update on Sunday during training camp in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 27-year-old said the change is meant to recognize his Nigerian heritage and more directly reflect his family history.

Bako-Bewele said the new surname combines two parts of his paternal lineage: his paternal grandmother’s maiden name, Bako , and his paternal grandfather’s surname, Bewele . He described the decision as a lasting commitment to that lineage, adding that he intends for the name to carry forward to future generations.

According to the player, the legal process began in March after he spent several years thinking through the decision. The name update was visible immediately in team settings, appearing on his No. 50 jersey during Sunday’s practice session.

How the change appeared at Packers camp

The surname adjustment moved from paperwork to public view as the Packers held practice in Green Bay. Bako-Bewele’s jersey nameplate reflected the change, making it clear that the transition is now in effect within the team environment.

While the moment was personal, it also arrived during a key phase of the NFL calendar, when rosters install systems and linemen build timing and communication. For players, training camp is also when uniform identifiers, official listings, and day-to-day team operations converge, making it a natural point for such changes to become visible.

Rehab status and expected return to full participation

Alongside the name change, Bako-Bewele is working through a modified training camp schedule as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially torn patellar tendon . The Packers right tackle is currently limited to individual drills and walk-throughs rather than full team work.

Bako-Bewele said he expects to rejoin full team participation within the coming week as preparation continues for the upcoming NFL season. For offensive linemen, ramping back to full-speed practice typically determines how quickly a player can resume contact work and handle the repeated reps required to anchor a starting role.

A personal decision alongside a professional ramp-up

The Packers lineman framed the surname change as a family-centered decision with long-term meaning, rather than a temporary adjustment. By combining Bako and Bewele, he said he is tying his public identity to specific family names connected to his paternal grandparents.

For Green Bay, the immediate on-field focus remains his recovery timeline and how quickly he can progress from limited work to full participation. Bako-Bewele enters his fifth professional season with an expectation that he will be back in team drills soon, with the upcoming season approaching.