NEW ORLEANS — Saquon Barkley achieved a historic milestone in his NFL career, setting a single-season rushing record during the Super Bowl held in the Superdome. Embracing his young daughter amidst a cascade of confetti, he proudly displayed a Philadelphia newspaper emblazoned with the word “CHAMPS!” over his photograph. His professional journey took a new direction after a challenging end with the New York Giants, leading him to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he yearned to seize this triumphant moment.
Barkley, who rushed for 57 yards in the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, managed to eclipse the previous NFL single-season rushing record, including playoffs, by amassing a remarkable total of 2,504 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. This record surpassed the prior benchmark of 2,476 yards set by Terrell Davis in 1998.
Reflecting on his incredible journey, Barkley expressed immense gratitude towards his teammates and the Eagles organization for their unwavering support during his inaugural season in Philadelphia. “It was a hell of a year, but all of the numbers and stats or records are cool, but the best thing is to be able to hold that Lombardi Trophy,” he noted. As the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, he entered the championship having just 30 yards to surpass Davis’ record.
His record-setting run came during the final play of the first half with a modest 2-yard carry. Barkley concluded the game with 12 rushing attempts for a mere 31 yards, averaging 2.6 yards per carry, a stark contrast to his regular-season average of 5.8 yards. Luckily for the Eagles, they thrived despite Barkley’s subdued performance, benefiting from a strong defensive showing that included two interceptions and two touchdowns by Jalen Hurts, helping them secure a commanding 24-0 lead by halftime.
In addition to setting records on the field, Barkley celebrated his 28th birthday on the same day. His astounding 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season positioned him among the nine elite running backs in NFL history to surpass the coveted 2,000-yard mark. As he entered the Super Bowl with a total of 2,447 rushing yards, it was also noted that his seven touchdown runs that exceeded 60 yards were unprecedented in the league.
Barkley’s signing was a highly debated decision for the Eagles, a franchise historically cautious about significant investments in running backs. However, his extraordinary performances have proven to be worth the $26 million guaranteed contract. His electrifying plays, reminiscent of video games, captivated fans, including a jaw-dropping backward hurdle that prompted updates in Madden to accommodate his athletic feats.
“There’s nothing virtual about this Lombardi Trophy,” Barkley remarked, reflecting on his victory. “It’s better in person than it is in Madden, I’ll tell you that playing as a kid.” His emotions peaked as he cherished the trophy, kissing it while reveling in the glory of becoming a world champion.
The context of his departure from the Giants was highlighted in the documentary series “Hard Knocks,” wherein general manager Joe Schoen informed Barkley of their decision not to extend an offer. This left Barkley to explore free agency, ultimately leading him to a rival team in the NFC East. The sentiment from Giants’ owner John Mara indicated concern over Barkley joining Philadelphia, stating he would have a hard time sleeping knowing Saquon was heading to their biggest competition.
After six years with the Giants and only two playoff games, Barkley’s first season with the Eagles has been nothing short of remarkable, leaving him only 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards. The Eagles opted to rest Barkley during the regular-season finale, preventing him from potentially breaking that record. However, come Super Bowl Sunday, he etched his name in history by becoming the leading rusher across an entire season with his impressive achievements.
