January 12th, 2026
Dr. Babatunde Fariyike’s path from collegiate athlete to orthopedic surgeon is a story of resilience, passion, and purpose.
A proud Georgia native raised in Thomaston, Dr. Fariyike earned a four-year football scholarship to Auburn University, where he not only excelled on the field, but contributed to two SEC Championship teams and competed in two National Championship games, including one title victory.
While his time playing football shaped him as a competitor and teammate, it was a significant knee injury that helped define his professional future. Under the care of one of the nation’s foremost sports medicine physicians, Dr. Fariyike experienced firsthand the impact compassionate, expert orthopedic care can have on an athlete’s life. That experience — coupled with inspiration from his father, who was also a physician — sparked a deep interest in medicine and ultimately directed him toward orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Fariyike pursued his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, where he served as Class President and was actively involved in leadership roles. He continued his training with an orthopedic surgery residency at New York University and went on to complete a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the respected Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. During his fellowship year, he cared for athletes across multiple levels — from college teams like Samford University to professional affiliates such as the Birmingham Barons — and served as a team physician for NCAA Women’s Basketball and SEC Baseball tournaments.
Today, Dr. Fariyike combines his athletic background with medical expertise as a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, knee preservation, shoulder care, and fracture management. His unique journey from the football field to the operating room drives his commitment to helping patients heal, regain mobility, and return to the activities they love.
Whether treating a young athlete with an ACL tear or supporting a weekend warrior through recovery, Dr. Fariyike brings not just clinical skill, but real-world empathy grounded in his own experiences as a competitive athlete.
Read the full story: https://www.piedmont.org/news/dr-babatunde-fariyikes-journey-from-auburn-football-to-orthopedic-surgery
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