Plenty of Philadelphia Eagles fans celebrated Sundayโs Super Bowl win by shotgunning beers, and Penn State great Saquon Barkley wasnโt unlike them in that regard.
A video by Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer captured Barkley shotgunning a (potentially) cold one after Phillyโs 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
It was well-deserved.
Many feel Barkley was the best player in football this past season, and the fact that he won Offensive Player of the Year shows that heโs one of the best, at worst.
Landslide: Penn State Legend Saquon Barkley Runs Away With AP Offensive Player of the Year
Barkley, who eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing in the regular season, falling 100 yards short of Eric Dickersonโs single-season record (which he may have broke had he played Week 18. Instead, Philly decided to save him for the playoffs).
He continued that into the postseason. In the wildcard round against the Green Bay Packers, he rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries. The next round was perhaps the signature performance of his NFL career. Against the Los Angeles Rams, Barkley rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Both TD runsโ 68 and 72 yardsโ were epic. The second one was especially so since it happened in the middle of a snowstorm.
Barkley didnโt put up the dazzling numbers fans have grown used to. He ended with 56 yards on 24 carries. But itโs doubtful that matters much to him, because heโs a champ, and heโll will be celebrating for as he desires.
FROM HATING THE EAGLES TO LEADING THEM
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 09: RB Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball in the first quarter during Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on February 09, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire)
One of the most famous scenes in The Big Lebowski involves Jeffrey โThe Dudeโ Lebowski complaining to a taxi driver that he โhates the Eagles.โ
Saquon Barkley used to feel that way.
Of course, he felt that way about the football team, not the band, which is among the many differences between Barkley and Lebowski.
But considering Barkley spent six seasons with one of Phillyโs big rivals, the New York Football Giants, it makes sense that he didnโt like his future squad too much.
โSix months ago, I couldnโt stand this team,โ Barkley told The NFL Network after the game. โHow things work, Iโm forever grateful for everything that went on in New York and have nothing but love for those guys. Hopefully theyโre proud of me and seeing me in is moment. But the opportunity came where I had to make a decision for me and my family. Me and my family felt like coming into Philadelphia, (where Iโd) be able to expand my legacy, Iโd be able to show the world the type of player I am and Iโd be able to compete for a championship. It sounds crazy at the time. You believe in it but when it comes to life, youโre still in shock. Iโm happy to say Iโm a world champ.โ
"Six months ago, I couldn't stand this team."@saquon discusses what it's like to be a #SBLIX champ as a member of the @Eagles ๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/JkJ2NGwXqe
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 10, 2025
