FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s not a stretch to say that Saquon Barkley’s backward hurdle is one of the best plays in NFL history. At the very least, it’s one of the coolest.
But how do other NFL running backs feel about the Philadelphia Eagles star’s wild Week 9 highlight? Pro Football Network caught up with New England Patriots back Rhamondre Stevenson on Thursday to talk about Barkley’s viral play.
Revisiting Wild Saquon Barkley Hurdle
First, let’s rewatch Barkley’s hurdle from multiple angles.
Here’s a video of the play in its entirety:
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Here’s a slo-mo replay:
THE 180 HURDLE??? DID SAQUON JUST INVENT THIS?!
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/tYThjnbdgG— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Here’s a look at the reaction from Philly’s sideline:
This angle of the Eagles' bench reacting to Saquon's hurdle 😮
(via ziglock1/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/INISzwIlqM
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) November 5, 2024
And here’s a mic’d-up clip of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts watching the play:
.@Saquon's hurdle made @JalenHurts do a double-take 😅 pic.twitter.com/tu4t8Qv5fZ
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 5, 2024
Barkley’s hurdle was a popular talking point inside the Eagles’ locker room after last Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I’ve never in my life, ever seen a man do that,” Eagles safety Sydney Brown told reporters. “I don’t even know how you plan that in your head. I don’t even know how you think of that. I’ve never seen a man jump that high at the weight he is and the size he is. It was just incredible. Probably one of the best plays I’ve seen in my life.”
Receiver DeVonta Smith added: “Crazy, I ain’t never seen nothing like it.”
Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t mince words during his postgame news conference.
“It was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Sirianni told reporters. “What I think is so cool, there’s going to be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia … trying to make that play and talking about that play and like simulating that play as they play backyard football, peewee football. They ain’t gonna be able to make it.”
Interestingly, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce offered a different take during the latest “New Heights” podcast episode.
“Kids, do not f—–g do that,” Kelce said, partially in jest. “Football is not meant to be played in the air. I promise you that. Unless you’re an incredible athlete. If your athleticism is far more superior than everybody else’s on the field, then do whatever the f–k you want. Outside of that, do not … that is a safety hazard.”
How Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson Reacted to Barkley’s Wild Highlight
Shortly before Thursday’s Patriots practice, PFN asked Stevenson for his reaction to Barkley’s hurdle.
“The first thing I thought is I would never do that,” Stevenson said with a laugh. “Like, I would never even think of doing that.”
Stevenson said Barkley’s unique abilities enable him to do things other running backs can’t.
“Saquon — I feel like he’s just a different type of player,” Stevenson said. “He’s super athletic, and he can make plays like that.”
Stevenson said that, aside from a few hurdles, he’s rarely tried any particularly crazy moves on the gridiron.
“My hurdles I did in the past [come to mind],” he said. ” … I like keeping my feet on the floor.”