Robert Baham

Robert "Bam Bam" Baham (born December 30, 1985 in Tampa, Florida) is an American football defensive back who played college football for Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAA Division 1-A in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is the son of former USF Women's Basketball star Joyce Baham who played on the first organized WNBA Phoenix Mercury.

High School Career

Starred at Tampa Jefferson High School alongside former Florida Gator and current Cincinnati Bengals Andre Caldwell. Helped lead Jefferson to the Class 4A state championship game in 2002. Might have been one of the best defensive backs in Florida history. In his junior season Baham racked up 89 tackles, three interceptions and 10 knockdowns. Baham earned All-State Class 3-A honors, and was also named to the All-Suncoast team by the St. Petersburg Times. Baham also earned All-Hillsborough honors from the Times. Baham was named to the Tallahassee Democrat’s Sunshine 75 team.

Baham helped lead Jefferson High to a 10-3 record an berth in the Florida Class 3-A Regional Finals as a senior in 2004. A highlight in Baham’s senior season came early in the season when he picked off a pass against Blake High School and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. Baham also participated in the Hillsborough County All-Star Football game.

College Career

Redshirted in 2004 season, came back in 2005 slated to start alongside former teammate Ron Girault of the Kansas City Chiefs, but suffered a Hip injury during the season. Came back after his first surgery in 2006 only to play a couple games before injuring his hip and having surgery again. College roommate is current Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 NFL draft.

Injury

Baham suffered a serious hip injury which ultimately ended his college football career. After Baham went down and popped his hip back in place he continued to practice which made it worse.

Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, Baham was determined to get back on the field injuring the same hip two more times and having his second surgery before finally letting go of his college career. It was discovered that Baham had the same injury as Bo Jackson but not as worst. Jackson suffered from avascular necrosis, as a result of decreased blood supply to the head of his left femur. This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring Jackson's hip to be replaced.

References

1.http://scarletknights.com/football/news/release.asp?prID=14872.http://florida.scout.com/a.z?s=168&p=8&c=1&nid=6419573.http://prepsports.tbo.com/prepsports/2003allstatefb.htm4.http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2007/08/in_the_ledger_ailing_linton_le.html5.http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/09/Sports/Dragons_DB_picks_Rutg.shtml6.http://www.scarletknights.com/football/news/preview06.asp7.http://rutgers.scout.com/2/557400.html

External Links

• Scarletknights.com• Scout.com• Rutgersfan.com