Who Is Saquon Barkley?
Saquon Barkley is one of the NFL's most explosive running backs. Born on February 9, 1997, in the Bronx, New York, he currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. At 28 years old, Barkley stands 6 feet tall and weighs 233 pounds. His 2024 season was historic. He rushed for 2,005 yards on 345 carries with 15 touchdowns, becoming only the ninth player in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard mark. He won the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX.
Early Life and Family Background
Barkley grew up in a family with deep boxing roots. His great-uncle, Iran Barkley, was a world champion boxer who defeated Thomas Hearns twice and fought Roberto Duran in legendary bouts. His father, Alibay Barkley, also boxed until a shoulder injury ended his career.
When Saquon was young, his family lived in the Bronx. Life was tough. His father struggled with drug addiction and spent time in Rikers Island prison. His mother, Tonya Johnson, made the difficult decision to move the family to Pennsylvania when Saquon was around five years old. They settled in Bethlehem before eventually moving to Coplay, a small town in the Lehigh Valley.
The move changed everything. The family faced financial hardships. They sometimes had no heat in their house and had to split up to stay with different family members. But Pennsylvania gave them space and a fresh start. Saquon's father got clean and focused on being present for his kids.
Without a car, young Saquon and his father walked to practices and games. During those walks, Alibay shared his story. He talked about his mistakes, his time in prison, and the importance of making better choices. Those conversations shaped Saquon's character and drive.
High School Years at Whitehall
Barkley attended Whitehall High School in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania. His football journey started at age eight with the Hokendauqua youth football team. He made a deal with his father that if he scored 15 touchdowns in a season, he'd get $100. After a 99-yard touchdown was called back for a penalty on his 14th score, he ran 80 yards on the very next play to earn that money.
High school wasn't easy at first. As a freshman, Barkley weighed only 160 pounds and lacked confidence. He thought about quitting. His grades were poor, with a 1.9 GPA. But his father gave him advice that stuck: if you quit football, you'll find it easy to quit everything else in life.
Barkley took that to heart. He started lifting weights and taking training seriously. The results were remarkable. From his sophomore to senior year, he rushed for 3,646 yards and 63 touchdowns. As a senior in 2014, he gained 1,856 yards and scored 31 touchdowns. He won the Mr. Pennsylvania Football award and was named to the all-state team.
He also excelled in track and field. In 2015, he won gold medals in both the 100-meter dash and long jump. He ran the 100 meters in 10.90 seconds, setting a school record. His long jump measured 22 feet 2.5 inches. He even recorded a 46-foot shot put.
Whitehall High School retired his number 21 jersey on September 10, 2021. He joined Matt Millen and Dan Koppen as the only Whitehall players to reach the NFL.
College Career at Penn State
Barkley originally committed to Rutgers but flipped to Penn State. It was the right choice. He made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2015, rushing for over 1,000 yards and setting a school record for a first-year player.
His sophomore season in 2016 was even better. He rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. Penn State won the Big Ten Championship, and Barkley was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
The 2017 Rose Bowl against USC made him a national star. In one unforgettable play, he took a handoff and evaded eight different tacklers in 16 seconds. He cut back, spun away from defenders, and outran everyone for a 79-yard touchdown. The run went viral. America saw what made him special: speed, power, vision, and an ability to make defenders miss in phone booth spaces.
As a junior in 2017, he set a Penn State record with 358 all-purpose yards in a single game against Iowa. He became the first Big Ten player ever to record both a return touchdown and a passing touchdown in the same game. He finished his college career with 5,538 all-purpose yards and 43 rushing touchdowns, both school records. He placed fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
After his junior year, Barkley decided to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. He later returned to Penn State in 2022 to complete his degree, wanting to set an example for his children.
NFL Career with the Giants
The New York Giants selected Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018. He signed a four-year contract worth $31.19 million with a $20.76 million signing bonus.
His rookie season was spectacular. He rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns while catching 91 passes for 721 yards and four more scores. He became just the third rookie in NFL history with at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl.
Barkley made the Pro Bowl again in 2019 after rushing for 1,003 yards despite missing three games. In 2020, a torn ACL in Week 2 ended his season early. Many wondered if he'd ever be the same.
He proved the doubters wrong. After struggling in 2021, Barkley bounced back in 2022 with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned another Pro Bowl selection.
After six seasons in New York, Barkley became a free agent in 2024. The Giants chose not to re-sign him.
Joining the Philadelphia Eagles
In March 2024, Barkley shocked the NFL by signing with the Giants' division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. His three-year deal was worth $37.75 million with $26 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid running back in Eagles history.
His first season in Philadelphia was legendary. He scored three touchdowns in his debut game. Throughout the season, he shattered records. He set an Eagles single-game rushing record with 255 yards against the Los Angeles Rams. He averaged a career-best 5.8 yards per carry.
Barkley finished 2024 with 2,005 rushing yards, becoming only the ninth player in NFL history to reach 2,000. He added 13 rushing touchdowns and helped lead the Eagles to Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, which happened to be his 28th birthday. Philadelphia defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to win the championship.
For his efforts, Barkley won the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, the Bert Bell Award, and his third Pro Bowl selection. The 2025 season has been more challenging, with Barkley rushing for 684 yards and four touchdowns in the first 11 games.
Personal Life and Relationship
Barkley has been in a relationship with Anna Congdon since early 2017. They met at Penn State University. Congdon attended Forest City Regional High School in Pennsylvania, where she played basketball. They went to a Pi Kappa Phi fraternity formal together in December 2016 and started dating shortly after.
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jada Clare Barkley, on April 24, 2018. Barkley was so devoted to her that he wore cleats with her full name and birthdate during games. Their son, Saquon Barkley Jr., was born in September 2022.
Barkley proposed to Congdon, and they announced their engagement before the 2025 Super Bowl. He later admitted he was more nervous about proposing than playing in the Super Bowl. The couple is engaged but not yet married.
Congdon has been a constant presence at games, cheering from the sidelines with their two children. Barkley credits her as essential to his success. "I can't be the athlete I am and have the success I have in my career without the help of her," he told People magazine in February 2025.
The family participated in a special celebration on March 14, 2018, when Pennsylvania declared "Saquon Barkley Day" as a state holiday. A parade was held in Coplay, featuring the Whitehall High School marching band.
Career Statistics and Impact
Through 101 career games, Barkley has rushed for 7,900 yards on 1,731 attempts with 52 rushing touchdowns. He has caught 354 passes for 2,100 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. His career averages 4.6 yards per carry.
In June 2025, Barkley was named the cover athlete for Madden 26, becoming only the second Eagles player after Donovan McNabb to grace the cover.
Barkley established the Saquon Barkley Family Foundation, which helps underserved youth and their families. The foundation focuses on education, fitness, and supporting children affected by pediatric cancer. He's also involved with Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charitable organizations in the Lehigh Valley.
His journey from walking to practice with no car to becoming a Super Bowl champion and one of the NFL's highest-paid running backs is remarkable. Saquon Barkley represents what's possible when talent meets determination and family support.