The city of Philadelphia rightly showered Saquon Barkley with plenty of brotherly love on Friday, and the former Giants star gave it back to Eagles fans and staffers throughout their championship parade and celebration.
The 28-year-old running back rushed for more than 2,000 yards and earned his first career Super Bowl ring in his initial season in Philly after leaving the Giants last year in free agency.
“You can’t use words to describe this. Every time I think Philly can’t take it to another level, they take it to a whole ‘nother level,” Barkley said during a television interview during the parade. “Me and my family are happy and honored to be a part of this organization and a part of this city. Man, this team deserves it all, and here we are.
“You’re at one place, and you think that’s where you want to be and retire there, and life happens. I came here and now I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.”
The three-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million with the Eagles in March after spending the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Giants.
Barkley was seen enjoying several personal interactions with people along the parade route, including posing for pictures with a three-year-old girl who held a sign showing it was her birthday.
The Penn State product also went viral for spotting an Eagles ball boy in the crowd and lifting him over the barricades to join the celebration.
And he brought another fan named Ryan Quigley — an Eagles supporter and a New Orleans terrorist attack survivor — to the stage as he addressed the crowd.
“I might be having too much fun,” said Barkley, who had 97 total yards in the Eagles’ 40-21 victory over the Chiefs. “Every time I think they can’t take it any further, they take it to a whole other level. It definitely exceeded expectations. Man, we got the best fans in the world.”