


It might be awkward if Budda Baker gets traded to the Packers.
The Cardinals star safety took to Twitter and appeared to call out Lukas Van Ness’ father for his interaction with his son’s girlfriend, Frankie Kmet, during the draft.
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When Van Ness got the call that Green Bay selected him with the No. 13 overall pick on Thursday, his father appeared to double-tap Kmet on the backside, which caused a frenzy on social media.
“Ok ok ok… look, if my dad touched my lady ass on draft night or anytime, I’m checkin him!!!” Baker wrote on Friday. “ESPECIALLY if he still with my mom.
“Maybe that’s just me though, I didn’t grow up wit my pops so maybe that it.
“… aye also! There’s nothing wrong with being a day 2 guy!! Just work!!” Baker, a second-round pick (No. 36, overall) by the Cardinals in 2017, wrote.
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Baker, who reportedly requested a trade last month, did not name Van Ness and his girlfriend, or the rookie’s father.
The family’s celebration garnered attention on Twitter, where Van Ness became a trending topic during the draft.
Social media videos show Van Ness getting bombarded with hugs from those in his inner circle, nearly knocking him over on a couch.
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The internet also had a field day with the moment a young man had to be pulled off Van Ness as he took the call from Packers brass.
Baker, a five-time Pro Bowler, also shared some advice for the new draft class — and recalled his own journey from his rookie year until now.
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“In honor of all these draft predictions… when I was coming out my true jr year, i received a letter from Nfl expressing to me that they think I should go back to school for another year. Which meant they thought I wouldn’t be drafted within the first 4 rounds,” Baker wrote in a series of separate tweets posted prior to the draft.
“Biggest negatives was my size and durability…fast forward to the draft, the Cardinals drafted me 2nd round 36th pick.
“Not only did I get drafted early, I also made special teams All Pro my rookie year and attended my 1st pro bowl. Fast forward 6 years…”
Baker, who starred at the University of Washington. added that consistency and hard work are keys to navigating an NFL career.
“Continue to work hard no matter what anybody says,” he wrote. “The highest of highs and lowest of lows.. just work.
“Hard work always pays off. Consistency pays off. It Becomes addicting. Never get comfortable. That’s when they catch up!! Brain food Monday!!”
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Van Ness, who declared for the draft in January, will join quarterback Jordan Love in Green Bay’s first year without Aaron Rodgers.
The four-time MVP was traded to the Jets last Monday after weeks of negotiations with the Packers.
The 27-year-old Baker requested a trade from the Cardinals last month, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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Baker, who was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl in 2022, has two years remaining on his current deal with Arizona.
He is owed just over $13 million in 2023 and $14.2 million in 2024.
In six seasons with the Cardinals, Baker has recorded seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss.