Barkley’s six-word message after being denied chance at breaking 30-year record
Saquon Barkley is having a career year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The running back signed a three-year, $37.75million contract after failing to get what he wanted from the New York Giants.
The G Men decided to build their team around quarterback Daniel Jones, who was released mid-season.
Their decision to part ways looks worse with every passing day and fans were given a bitter reminder when they came up against their former talisman on Sunday.
Barkley became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season in Week 17.
His 162 yards in a rout of the Dallas Cowboys helped the Eagles wrap up the NFC East title a week early.
He turned up to Lincoln Financial Field rocking a custom T-shirt celebrating his 2,000-yard season.
It featured the entire offensive line on the front, with Pro Bowl center Landon Dickerson holding Barkley.
“How ’bout them boys up front,” was written on the back.
Barkley is obviously delighted to hit personal milestones but knows he would be nowhere without his blockers.
“Being a fan of the game and the running back position, to reach a milestone and put myself up there with eight other backs that I respect, and some I grew up watching, definitely means a lot,” he said after the Cowboys win.
“But at the same time, I wouldn’t be able to do that without this team. You can’t be great without the greatness of others.”
Barkley was already an electric prospect despite years of poor Giants teams in New York.
Moving to a contender has unleashed a beast few NFL defenses look equipped to stop.
Meanwhile, the Giants came into the game with a 3-13 record and in a battle for the No. 1 pick.
While running back is not a premium position in today’s NFL, G Men quarterback Tommy DeVito admitted Barkley’s leadership qualities have been missed.
“I think they understood it but maybe just didn’t cherish it enough because we had two of them leave – [Barkley and wide receiver Sterling Shepard],” he told ESPN.
“Two guys that were among the most vocal leaders on the offense, guys that have played a ton.
“Those two guys meant a tremendous amount, but obviously Saquon is my guy. He kind of helped bring me into this whole role and how everything went down. He was kind of my rock through it all.
“To see him go and how it went down, it was tough. Obviously, it’s a business as well.”
It was Barkley’s Eagles that continued his former team’s misery on Sunday in the end, beating the Giants 20-13.
New York have ended the season with a record of 3-14 while Philadelphia finish with a record of 14-3.
