In his first season of being free from the dumpster fire that is the New York Giants, running back Saquon Barkley has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.
Something he probably did not expect would ever happen 12 months ago when he was arguing back and forth with the Giants about whether or not they were going to pay him what he was worth (turns out, in the right system he’s worth his weight in gold.)
Maybe you’re one of the more casual fans just starting to get into the NFL, maybe you had Saquon in your fantasy team this year and want to learn more about the RB that more than likely lead your team to a Fantasy Championship this year.
I have you covered, I’ve done a deep dive on Saquon ahead of Super Bowl LIX but it’s been trouble to write through gritted teeth and tears (I am a Giants fan, I miss you Pookie).
Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Saquon Barkley.
1. His College Numbers Are Absurd
Saquon Barkley at Penn State was Ashton Jeanty before Ashton Jeanty was out of middle school.
Not only is his stat sheet absurd for Penn State but his highlights are *chefs kiss*
1237 Scrimmage Yards & 8 TDs as a freshmen
1898 Scrimmage Yards & 22 TDs as a sophomore
1903 Scrimmage Yards and 21 TDs as a junior
Saquon finished his college career with 38 games, 3843 rushing yards (116.45 yards per game), 5038 total scrimmage yards (132.57 yards per game) and a jaw dropping 51 total touchdowns (1.34 touchdowns per game).
Video game numbers.
2. A Generational Prospect
It’s a term that gets thrown around way too willy nilly these days but Barkley truly was a generational running back prospect.
Saquon was drafted second overall to the New York Giants, over players like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
The Giants needed a QB at the time with Eli on the back end of his career and a young Odell Beckham Jr a superstar in the league but the idea of having Barkley was far too tempting.
It looked like a great pick initially, Barkley won 2018 rookie of the year with 2,028 total scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns but even a gun running back like that was not enough to save New York.
3. The man lives in the Squat Rack
He has the nickname “SaQuad” for a reason. The man is a gym rat and hid dedication in the weightroom really pays dividends every Sunday.
Look at these things.
4. He’s got good genes
Saquon is not the only professional athlete in his family tree, he is the great nephew (and most likely a great nephew too) of 1988 World Boxing Council Middleweight Champion, Iran Barkley.
Iran had a very impressive career finishing with a record of 43-19-1 is not bad at all.
5. Highlight was so good, they put it in Madden
In Week 8 of this season, Saquon pulled off a move we did not know was possible, a reverse hurdle over a defender.
Maybe the greatest piece of athleticism we’ve ever seen on a sporting field, the folks at EA didn’t muck around at all and this move was added to Madden 25 two weeks later.
It’s fascinating that they can add an animation like this so quickly, but the rest of the game has been untouched for a decade.
6. SB <3 DJ
Despite neither Saquon or former Giants Quarterback Daniel Jones being on the Giants roster anymore. They have remained incredibly close friends.
So much so that Danny Dimes, who’s currently a Viking will be in Saquon’s friends and family suite for Super Bowl LIX
7. He Caused Some Major Headaches in New York
After a year on the franchise tag for the Giants and asking for a wage that reflected how important he was to that organisation.
The Giants front office for whatever reason decided that their best, most marketable and fan favourite player was not worth paying once his rookie contract ran out.
Lucky for us, we got to see that all unfold on a season of HBO’s Hard Knocks that focussed on the Giants in the off season between 2023 and 2024.
The Giants let Saquon go find himself a job offer and he ended up at the Eagles where Giants’ owner John Mara said he’d “have a tough time sleeping” if Barkley ended up signing for their division rival.
Poor bugger is probably on that Fight Club, create an alter ego, destroy the world level of insomnia now that Barkley is in a Super Bowl his first year not in Big Blue.
8. Super Bowl LIX is on Saquon’s Birthday
Born on the 9th of Feb 1997, Saquon will run out for his Super Bowl debut on you guessed it the 9th of Feb 2025 (American time)
I can’t think of a better bday present than a SB Ring.
9. He’s a proud father
Barkley had his first daughter before he was drafted and she’s always been a strong motivator for him.
He has handwritten letters and drawings from her in his locker room and family is obviously a big thing for the RB.
Barkley’s family is often all over the Eagles, Giants (when he was there) and the NFL’s social media.
10. He loves hurdling over defenders
Hardly something you didn’t already know but it’s an excuse for me to show off his highlights.
Hurdling over a professional NFL player is one of the most difficult things I could think of and he does it with ease.