Saquon Barkley Makes History in Super Bowl Win with Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley celebrated an extraordinary achievement at the Super Bowl by setting a new NFL single-season rushing record. With confetti swirling around, he stood holding his young daughter and a Philadelphia newspaper emblazoned with the headline “CHAMPS!” above his picture. The Eagles’ running back had finally grasped not only the glory he longed for after a dramatic career shift from New York to Philadelphia but also the coveted Lombardi Trophy.
“She’s even more beautiful in person,” Barkley shared, grinning widely. “It’s a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier to hold it and give it a kiss.”
Despite rushing for a mere 57 yards in the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over Kansas City—a modest figure for a player of his caliber who notched seven touchdowns from 60 yards or more during the season—it was just enough to surpass Terrell Davis’s NFL postseason-inclusive record of 2,476 yards. Barkley concluded one of the most remarkable debut seasons for any free agent in Philadelphia sports history, amassing 2,504 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on what could arguably be called the city’s greatest championship squad.
“What a year, right? Big shoutout to the guys up front and the whole team,” Barkley expressed gratefully. “The Eagles organization welcomed me with open arms, and building my confidence back was crucial. It’s all about the Lombardi Trophy, more than just stats and records.”
Named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley only needed 30 yards to surpass Davis’s mark from 1998 when the Broncos clinched the Super Bowl. Davis was also the last running back to earn Super Bowl MVP that same season. Barkley made history with his initial carry in the Super Bowl and overtook the record with a 2-yard run by halftime, despite a slow start of 12 carries for 31 yards, well below his regular season average of 5.8 yards per carry.
The Eagles thrived even without Barkley’s typically remarkable output. Stellar defensive plays and two touchdowns from Jalen Hurts propelled them to a 24-0 lead at halftime. Barkley had more reasons to celebrate that Sunday: not only did he break the record and participate in his first Super Bowl during his first season with the Eagles, but he also turned 28.
His astounding 2,005 rushing yards during the regular season placed him among the elite—only the ninth running back to achieve such a feat. Entering the Super Bowl with 2,447 total yards, Barkley’s seven touchdowns from 60 yards plus were a postseason record, placing him beside Davis among those with at least 400 yards and five touchdowns in a single postseason.
Despite their historical hesitance to invest heavily in running backs, the Eagles’ $26 million guaranteed investment in Barkley paid off tremendously, shattering franchise records and delivering jaw-dropping performances akin to video game trickery, including a dazzling backward hurdle that necessitated an update in Madden. Yet, there was nothing virtual about claiming the Lombardi Trophy.