Saquon Barkley is an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He played college football for Penn State, setting numerous school records before entering the NFL draft in 2018.
Initially drafted by the New York Giants, Barkley was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made multiple Pro Bowls.
He joined the Eagles in 2023 and has since set franchise records, including rushing for over 2,000 yards in his first season with the team.
Recently, Barkley set a franchise postseason record with 205 rushing yards against the LA Rams.
Parents
Saquon’s parents are Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson.
His father, Alibay, was a boxer in his youth and comes from a family with a strong boxing background, including his brother Iran Barkley, a former WBC Middleweight Champion.
Tonya Johnson has been a constant source of support for Saquon throughout his career, especially during his recoveries from injuries.
The family faced challenges, including homelessness, before moving to Pennsylvania for a better life.
Saquon is one of five children, and his parents have always been supportive of his athletic pursuits.
Career
During his time at Penn State University from 2014 to 2017, Barkley became one of the most dominant players in college football.
He set numerous Penn State records, including most all-purpose career yards (5,538), most career rushing touchdowns (43), and most career receiving yards by a running back (1,157).
Barkley won the Paul Hornung Award in 2017, which is given to the most versatile player in college football. Barkley was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2017.
In his final season at Penn State, he rushed for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also catching 54 passes for 632 yards and three touchdowns.
In the NFL, Barkley was drafted by the New York Giants with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
His rookie season was impressive, as he rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
He also caught 91 passes for 721 yards and four touchdowns.
Despite his early success, Barkley faced significant injuries during his time with the Giants, including a torn ACL in 2020 that limited his playing time.
Despite these setbacks, Barkley made multiple Pro Bowls and was considered one of the top running backs in the league when healthy.
In 2023, Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, marking a new chapter in his career.
With the Eagles, he has been incredibly successful, setting franchise records and rushing for over 2,000 yards in his first season.
He has also been instrumental in the team’s postseason success.
Barkley became the NFL’s rushing champion in 2023 and earned multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.
