Saquon Barkley reveals ways Odell Beckham helped him before and after draft
For a while it looked like Odell Beckham Jr. may not be with the New York Giants after the NFL Draft, but that did not stop the star wide receiver from playing the role of mentor for a younger player he knew would likely end up being his teammate.
In a lengthy interview with Matt Lombardo of NJ.com on Thursday, Saquon Barkley opened up about his relationship with Beckham. The former Penn State star could not say enough positive things about OBJ, and he says the two willed the Giants drafting Barkley into existence.
“We talked about it. We talked the Giants drafting me into existence. When I used to hang out with Odell, I’d tell him; ‘I’m going to be a Giant, I want to be a Giant, I want to be a part of that team.’
“Odell’s a very special player. He’s a very special person. That’s the biggest thing about Odell, he’s a very special person. The things he does, and the way he prepares is really admirable.”
Barkley says he and Beckham established a close friendship during the draft process, but the most valuable advice the star receiver gave him was quite simple.
“He gave me a lot of tips on how to do it, and how not to do it,” Barkley said. “He’s done a little bit of both. Everyone has that. He has 4-5 years in his career. He’s seen it all. I look forward to our career together and obviously our friendship growing even more.
“The best advice Odell gave me, and the best advice that I’ve gotten from a lot of the veteran players and people in general is to just continue being me. I got here for a reason. Obviously, you have to improve on your work ethic and your game. Obviously, you have a lot more time to focus on the game of football. Just be you. Stay true to who you are, be humble, be hungry, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Beckham has made headlines for the wrong reasons once again this offseason, but a lot of that goes with being a star player in the biggest sports market in the country. That is something Barkley is going to have to get used to, and no one is more familiar with it than OBJ. On the field, the duo should be as electrifying as it comes.