Before Penn State football legend Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of Super Bowl LII, Barkley took home one of the NFL’s biggest awards.
On Thursday, at the NFL Honors, the former Penn State star running back was named AP Offensive Player of the Year.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be selected Player of the Year,” Barkley said in a video message at the awards show. “I’d like to give thanks to God first. Without him, none of this would be possible. I’d like to give thanks to my family, my fiancée, children, mom and dad, brothers and sisters; thank you so much for the love and support throughout the journey.”
Never a doubt.
Saquon Barkley is your NFL Offensive Player of the Year‼️@saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/e44wUIvSZF
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 7, 2025
Barkley won the NFL rushing title with 2,005 yards over 16 games. His total sat 84 yards more than Derrick Henry’s second-place finish (1921) in 17 contests. Barkley is the first Penn State player to win AP Offensive Player of the Year.
The Pro Football Writers Association named Barkley its 2024 Offensive Player of the Year earlier this year. Barkley is the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards and the first since Henry (2,047) in 2020.
“I’d like to thank the fans of Philadelphia for showing so much love to me and my family, especially as a newcomer,” Barkley continued. “Last but not least, I’d like to thank my teammates and coaches. I can’t be great without the greatness of others and can’t accomplish awards like this without the big boys up front!”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Saquon averaged 125 yards per game, rushed for a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Eagles and easily earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
To: @saquon
From: The Boyspic.twitter.com/vi04kHWqkI— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 7, 2025
Barkley will turn 28 on Super Bowl Sunday. He finished exactly 100 yards away of tying Eric Dickerson’s all-time mark of 2,105 during the 1984 season. Although Dickerson broke the record in 14 games, he did it in more carries (379) than Barkley (345).
The Eagles and Chiefs will take the field at the Superdome at 6:30 p.m. on FOX.
The New York Giants drafted Barkley No. 2 overall in 2018, but let him test free agency instead of completing a long-term deal in the offseason and Philadelphia signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal in March. Saquon Barkley rushed for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns at Penn State, appearing in the Rose Bowl Game and winning the Cotton Bowl with the Nittany Lions from 2015-17.
Barkley won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, earned an All-American selection in 2017, and placed 4th in Heisman voting before declaring for the NFL Draft.
