David Baba could make his NFL debut for the Washington Commanders on Sunday. In his youth, the Bayern fan played football in Munich, now he is going to hunt for quarterbacks in the NFL. He appeared at the stadium in Bavarian traditional costume.

On 1 January, most people post good wishes for the new year, look back on the past twelve months, make resolutions or talk about their hopes and dreams.

David Bada, however, has a very different focus this year. Because 1 January 2023 changed his whole life. It was the day when the 27-year-old from Munich with Ghanaian roots officially became an NFL player.

On Saturday, the Washington Commanders named the defensive tackle from their practice squad to the 53-man roster. On Sunday night, the Commanders hosted the Cleveland Browns for a home game. Although the Commanders lost by a score of 10-24, David Bada collected his first two solo tackles in the NFL.

“It is Gameday,” David Bada wrote on Instagram on New Year’s Day: “I’ve waited so many years to be able to say this. Thank you for the congratulations, I was very happy. A huge thank you goes to my family and friends who always have my back. “

David Bada: Through the International Pathway Program into the NFL

Bada pursued his NFL dream via the International Pathway Program. He transferred to the US from the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in 2019, and the Commanders signed him for their practice squad a year later.

Bada, who was the 2018 GFL champion with the Unicorns, had to adapt to playing football in the US. He had to learn how the game is played at the highest level. And, of course, he also had to improve physically. He made the decisive progress in the last two years.

“I now weigh 145 kilograms and am 1.95 metres tall,” “Before I came to the NFL, I weighed 120 kilograms. I’ve built up a lot of muscle. I’m very proud of that. I can maintain my weight and I’m in good shape. “

Bada managed sack against Lamar Jackson in preseason

His development seems to have convinced head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio that now is the Munich native’s time. Despite his bulk, Bada is quick and agile, he has long arms and can tackle hard. He has already shown what he can do in preseason games. Among other things, he managed a sack against star quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

In Rivera’s 4-3 defence, Bada can be used as a defensive tackle as well as a defensive end. “I can play multiple positions and try to be as flexible as possible. “

Checking in for CLEvsWAS @ZIPSCleaners HTTC pic. twitter.com/4usprqZX3p

– Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 1, 2023

Bada first played football in Munich

Bada had a whole other career in mind as a child. The FC Bayern Munich fan played football, and at TSV Forstenried he made it as far as the Bezirksoberliga. Due to his height and weight, however, he quickly realised that football suited him better. Which is why Bada joined the Munich Cowboys at the age of 17.

Via the Ingolstadt Dukes, the path led on to the Unicorns, where Bada caught the eye of NFL scout Will Bryce. The invitation to the 2019 International Pathway Program followed. After failing to find a team in his first year, Bada travelled back to his family in Munich, disappointed.

“I didn’t think I would get another chance. The NFL is a tough business. But I still kept working hard in case another opportunity came,” he told “American Football International. “

He appeared at the stadium in lederhosen and Bavarian traditional dress. And thus provided the first eye-catcher hours before kickoff. But he would even prefer to cause a stir on the pitch on a regular basis in the future.

David Bada laid the first foundation stone for this on Sunday evening.