PHILADELPHIA — Fly high, birdies!
This week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie teed off at the renowned Merion Golf Club alongside a special guest: former President Barack Obama.
Hurts shared his experience, noting Obama’s warm demeanor, calling him “like an uncle figure.” He expressed admiration for Obama’s genuine character, saying, “Great presence. I guess the word is, down to earth.” Hurts elaborated on the enjoyment of seeing the former president engaging playfully on the golf course.
However, despite the excitement, Hurts had to adhere to his $255 million contract, which prevented him from actually playing. Nevertheless, he found joy in strolling the course and soaking in the atmosphere while spending time with Obama.
With three consecutive wins, the Eagles have regained their momentum, and Hurts humorously claimed he would eventually outplay Obama in golf, saying, “I told him, you don’t want these problems just yet. His day will come.”
Hurts remarked that the only celebrity he still hopes to meet is actor Denzel Washington.
Obama was visiting Philadelphia to support Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination.
For Saquon Barkley, playing golf with a former president was a unique honor, presenting an opportunity to delve into discussions about leadership. He learned about the invitation from Lurie just last week.
Reflecting on the experience, Barkley described it as “probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve had in my life.” He found Obama to be warm and very relatable, and he enjoyed four to five hours of golf with him.
When asked if he managed to outplay Obama, Barkley chuckled, “Nah, I’m in season right now. But he’s pretty good, though. He’s an athlete.”
Barkley highlighted that one of the most memorable takeaways was witnessing the kindness that Obama extended to everyone, from caddies to fellow golfers and staff. He added, “I try to do that already, but you always try to do that even more.”