David Bakhtiari says friendship with Aaron Rodgers will last a lifetime in emotional goodbye

Get out the tissues, Packers fans.

A day after news broke that the Aaron Rodgers trade to the New York Jets was a done deal, Green Bay Packers offensive lineman David Bakhtiari posted an emotional farewell to his close friend.

Bakhtiari connected his Instagram message to "Photograph" by Nickelback along with a montage of photos of the two through the years. Bakhtiari said in his post that Nickelback is Rodgers' favorite band.

Bakhtiari, who became Rodgers' protection on his blind side his rookie season in 2013, wrote that he hates goodbyes and "this one especially."

"The chapter is over on this one, but this friendship is a lifetime," wrote the 31-year-old Bakhtiari. "You’ve been so instrumental in my life and I just wanna say thank you. And I love you brother."

"Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened," Bakhtiari added.

Bakhtiari added the hashtags "#goodoldays" and "#69n12."

Bakhtiari, like the Packers, have been preparing for a post-Rodgers life since the team and the quarterback made their intentions known last month that they were moving on from each other.

"I will never be jaded by your business decision," Bakhtiari said in a podcast he's told Rodgers. "I always care more about Aaron than I do about (number) 12 for the Green Bay Packers. Go do your thing. I said that to all my teammates once I understood (the business)."

Bakhtiari and Rodgers formed a close bond off the field over the last decade. Bakhtiari and his wife have joined Rodgers at the Kentucky Derby over the years, an annual trip for the quarterback and his closest friends. Bakhtiari even bought Rodgers a custom-made golf cart for him to drive around during training camp.

A fun moment between the two also took place a couple years ago when Rodgers hopped in the back of Bakhtiari's pickup truck with a case of beer as they drove near Lambeau Field. A video of Rodgers in the GMC truck quickly went viral.

More: From 'Letterman' guest to 'Jeopardy!' host, 15 of Aaron Rodgers' most memorable Packers pop culture moments

More: He ate at Chives, stopped at Frosty Tip, put 'meat on hold' at Maplewood. Sometimes Aaron Rodgers was just like us.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: David Bakhtiari has emotional goodbye to Aaron Rodgers after trade