Saquon Barkley moving swiftly through a large open space while hearing loud cheers on a Sunday afternoon is nothing new.
But on this Sunday, Barkley wasn’t playing against the Los Angeles Rams defense and he wasn’t headed for the end zone.
Instead, he was headed to a stage at Allentown’s PPL Center, where he was the focal point of a celebration to salute him on gaining more yards in a single season, including playoffs, than any running back in NFL history and leading the Philadelphia Eagles to their second Super Bowl championship.
Several thousand fans who filled the lower bowl at the 8,500-seat downtown Allentown facility roared with delight and did the famous E-A-G-L-E-S chant as Barkley walked the length of the arena and took his seat on stage along with his parents, Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson.
Cheerleaders and band members from Whitehall High School, Barkley’s alma mater, formed two lines that set the stage for Barkley’s entrance.
Once he sat on the state, Barkley heard proclamations from Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who proclaimed it Saquon Barkley Day in the city, and Whitehall Township Mayor Joseph Marx. Tuerk also gave Barkley the key to the city.
There were video presentations with congratulatory messages from celebrities including Will Smith, many of them congratulating him on signing the largest contract for a running back in NFL history — a two-year, $41.2 million deal that includes $36 million guaranteed.
There was another video recapping the highlights of his amazing 2024 season, which featured 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season.
He also heard an appreciative message from Alberta Scarfaro, a board member of the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, which “assists children, young adults and families that have a strong desire for positive forward movement.”
A former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Easton’s Larry Holmes, was in attendance. So was Gillie Da Kid, the North Philadelphia rapper who became the Eagles hype man during this past season and led dance parties with “Blow the Whistle,” which was popular with players and fans.
Typical of his time at Whitehall, Penn State and in the NFL, Barkley thanked the community.
“I couldn’t accomplish what I have so far in my career without the love and support of you guys, especially my Whitehall boys,” he said.
He thanked Whitehall athletic director Bob Hartman, his Whitehall head coach Brian Gilbert, assistant George Mahkoul and his teammates for guiding him on the path to stardom.
“I put them through hell to say the least,” he said. “But they helped me grow as a man and get to the positions I wanted to be in. And now I am here as a Philadelphia Eagle, which is crazy to say, but that’s just how life works. After being drafted in New York and believing that’s where I was going to end my career, a year ago I made the decision to come to Philly. Me and my family believed it would be the best decision for my career and it turned out it to be right. There were a lot records in this first year and a Super Bowl champion on my birthday. … It has been unbelievable. God has blessed me throughout this first season. Words can’t describe it.”
Allentown was proud to host the event.
“This was amazing; the energy here was amazing,” said Mandy Tolino, Allentown’s director of parks and recreation. “It was so great to have Saquon and his family here celebrating with the Lehigh Valley. It was awesome.”
Tolino said it was great that Whitehall and Allentown could come together to welcome a hometown hero.
“It was great the Whitehall band and cheerleaders were here, so this was an event that both Allentown and Whitehall could come together for,” Tolino said. “ … Saquon is Lehigh Valley at heart. So, this was a great day for everybody.”
The former Penn State star belongs to Eagles Nation and has quickly become one of the franchise’s all-time greats and favorites.
But Barkley made clear he’ll always be from the 610 area code that represents the Lehigh Valley.
“I just want to continue to make you guys proud and continue to represent the Lehigh Valley and Whitehall-Coplay,” he said. “Every chance I get, I try to let people know where I am from. I was born in the Bronx but I came to the 610 and it’s been great for me and my family. My parents made a decision to come here for a better opportunity for their kids and I am a perfect example of that.”
Barkley said his fiancee and children couldn’t come to Allentown because they just got back from a trip to the Bahamas and needed to get back to schoolwork.
But the rest of his family was there and took a deserved bow.
“I get a lot of compliments about how I handle myself and carry myself on the football field,” Barkley said. “I always try to treat people with respect and be kind. And it starts with my parents. I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have my mom and dad.”
Their influence has carried through to his foundation and half of the ticket proceeds from Sunday’s event will go to the foundation.
“We hope to continue make an impact on our community and try to change people’s lives,” he said. “I feel like God has put me and my family in this position [to help people] and that’s the way it should be and the right thing for us to do.”
Before he left the stage and took a tour around the edge of the arena floor to greet fans, Barkley had two words to add: Go birds!
Source: Berkshire mont
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