Saquon Barkley was all class late in Saturday’s Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
The Eagles had the game all but wrapped up with a 22-10 lead going into the final minute at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Facing 2nd-and-6 at their 24, the Eagles were content to just run the football to milk the clock.
Barkley took the handoff and easily broke past the line of scrimmage. The 1st-team All-Pro had a ton of open space ahead of him and a full head of steam but decided to slide down without getting touched.
CLASSY MOVE: @saquon Barkley had an easy touchdown but slides down. pic.twitter.com/4e1rqIAxmy
— 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 🦅 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) January 13, 2025
Barkley got 17 yards on the play but appeared to have a clear lane to score his first touchdown of the night if he wanted to. Jalen Hurts took a knee on the very next play to end the game.
During his postgame interview with FOX, Barkley said his Eagles teammates had wanted him to keep going.
“They told me I probably should have taken more,” said Barkley.
Barkley still finished with a game-high 119 rushing yards on 25 carries. But he gave up his best chance at a TD out of respect for the Packers. That’s class. Perhaps only those who wagered money on Barkley to score a touchdown would disagree.
