Saquon Barkley again proves Giants were wrong to let him walk

Throughout the 2024 season, Saquon Barkley proved time and again that the New York Giants should have made a bigger effort to retain him.

Forget his record-breaking season — although that was a huge kick in the mouth — Barkley is genuinely a good human being.

If you know anything about Barkley, you know he’s a man of the people. He’s down-to-earth and friendly, was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2022, and would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it.

At the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl parade on Friday, he showed the world once again what kind of person he is. Twice.

Saquon Barkley saw the Eagles ball boy in the crowd and pulled him over the fence to join them in the parade.

Every time you think he can’t be any better, he shows you he can. pic.twitter.com/gufgVcvMzI

— Sam Stafford (Wilson) (@SamStafff) February 14, 2025

The first example shows Barkley recognizing someone in the crowd and hugging him. It was one of the ball boys, so Saquon pulled him over the barricade and had him join the parade.

Three year old Lucy Bannon was standing along Broad Street with her grandma, Tracy, when Saquon Barkley walked by.

He saw their sign, picked Lucy up, and took photos for about 20 seconds.

“I couldn’t believe it was happening,” said her father, Charlie. https://t.co/zRNK4JNjBa pic.twitter.com/iv106e6ZN4

— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) February 14, 2025

The second video shows Barkley picking up a toddler who’s holding a sign. It’s her birthday and Saquon posed for photos with her, shocking her family.

In 2024, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns. He broke the record for the most yards rushing in a single season, including the postseason, needing just 30 yards in the Super Bowl game to do it.

Not only is Barkley a really good football player, but he’s a really good human, too.