- The Philadelphia Eagles running back left Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones with jaw dropping reverse hurdle
- Barkley’s play has been used by the 27-year-old before, during his time playing for Penn State
- Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni says Barkley’s play was the best he’d ever seen
A week removed from Jayden Daniels’ awe-inducing 52 yard Hail Mary that saw the Washington Commanders overcome the Chicago Bears in the Madhouse in Maryland, jaws were once again being dropped in the NFC East as Saquon Barkley reverse hurdled Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones in a moment that will be replayed for decades to come.
“I don’t know what [he] ate today,” said Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell,via CBS Sports. “I don’t think no one has seen that before. That was one of a kind.”
The play, which saw the two-time Big Ten MVP spin one Jacksonville tackle before leaping majestically over an onrushing Jones, left everyone on the pitch, in the stands and watching at home utterly stunned. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hailed the play as the “best play I’ve ever seen in my life” while giving Barkley a game ball in the locker room afterwards.
Not wasting any time to capitalise on Saquon’s magic, Nike rapidly turned the former New York Giant’s hurdle into an ad, referencing LeBron James’ 2005 “We Are All Witnesses” tagline.
Given that Barkley was wearing a pair of custom metallic silver, special edition LeBron IV Menace cleats when he pulled off the hurdle, high praise was forthcoming for his physics defying efforts from the four-time NBA Champion, who posted to his Instagram story, “Must be the shoes!!…@saquon you’re insane!!” referencing the iconic catchphrase “It’s gotta be the shoes” from the 1989 commercials, directed by Spike Lee for Air Jordans.
Insanely, Sunday was not the first time Barkley has performed such a feat. During his days with Penn State, the running back left Iowa defensive back Brandon Snyder in a similar position to Jarrian Jones during Penn’s 41-14 blowout victory over the Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium, in November 2016.
When his 2016 play was brought up after the Eagles 28-23 victory over the Jags, Barkley remarked, “It wasn’t as cool. I guess you could say.”
Barkley, who also rushed for 159 yards, had 199 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown against Jacksonville, was quick to give credit to a higher power when talking about his heroics after the game.
“You gotta give credit to God. I ain’t gonna lie. Not in a cocky way. I do believe God blessed me. He blessed all of us, but I feel God gave me ability to play this position. He gave me some instincts. Sometimes you just gotta let go and let your God given instincts take over.”
Sunday’s victory over Jacksonville was the Eagles fourth win in a row, leaving them second in the NFC East behind the Washington Commanders.
