Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley just shared a special moment with his daughter, and the internet is in love with it. Let’s take a look at what people are saying on social media.
Football Fans Fawn Over Saquon Barkley’s Pregame Handshake With Daughter
Barkley did an adorable handshake with his daughter, Jada, just before the Eagles’ playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
Saquon & Jada have their playoff handshake down 💚✌️@saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cH9yKDjTwe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 12, 2025
Fans ate up the cute moment between father and daughter, with one X user saying, “That’s always the important thing…” in reference to Barkley’s bond with his daughter.
That's always the most important thing….
— Ron S. – The Meme King GOAT (@RonStelter) January 12, 2025
Another X user wished the Eagles running back good luck, exclaiming, “Warms my heart 🥰 Have a good game today, Saquon!”
Warms my heart 🥰 Have a good game today Saquon! #FlyEaglesFly
— LGLegs (@LGLegs) January 12, 2025
The handshake has become a pregame ritual between the two.
Barkley Embraces Fatherhood
This season with the Eagles has been the best in his career. Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and fell just short of Eric Dickerson’s regular-season rushing record.
As some may recall, rather than re-signing Barkley, the New York Giants opted to let him go, and he ended up with NFC East rival Philadelphia.
Now, he is on the verge of playing in his first playoff game in years, and a lot of his success has to do with his family life.
Back in 2019, Barkley talked about becoming a father for the first time with his oldest daughter, Jada, who was born in 2018.
“That’s my everything,” Barkley told NJ Advance Media during a 1-on-1 interview.
“Obviously, I do it for myself because I love the game, I love competing, and I want to go down as one of the best (in NFL history), but I go out there and sacrifice my body every single day for my daughter.”
“It’s not just football,” Barkley said. “Every business decision I make, every investment, every marketing deal, all have to come with the mindset of my daughter being first. She is my world. I’m going to give her the world.
“I’m going to make sure she never has any worries in life, but I’m also going to show her that you have to work for everything in your life. I want to be the best role model and father I can be in her life.”
Barkley is proud to be a “girl dad,” but he recently welcomed his son back in 2022 with long-time girlfriend Anna Congdon, whom they named Saquon Jr.
Their relationship dates back to college. They first met at Penn State in 2016 and attended the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity formal together in December of that year.
Barkley credits his strong family foundation to his father and mother, who were both in his life growing up. Barkley said in a recent interview that his father wanted him to break Dickerson’s rushing record but the Eagles decided to rest him instead of risk injury.
Regardless, Barkley’s strong family ties have been a key to his success over the years, and they continue to this day.