Saquon Barkley always has time for his daughter — even right before a very important football game!
On Sunday, Jan. 26, just before the running back, 27, and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game and secured their spot in the 2025 Super Bowl, Barkley took a moment to greet his kids and girlfriend.
In an adorable video shared on the NFL on Fox X account, Barkley’s daughter Jada, 6, son Saquon Jr., 2, and girlfriend Anna Congdon could be seen approaching him on the sidelines. The athlete asked Jada to “gimme a handshake,” and the pair launched into a prepared sequence, complete with kisses on each cheek and a peace sign.
Barkley then bent down to hug Jada, who wore a white puffer coat with an Eagles sweatshirt underneath.
“Love you, daddy!” she can be heard telling the running back.
Although he didn’t have quite as involved of a handshake for his son, Barkley put his face up to Saquon Jr.’s and also gave Congdon a kiss.
It would seem the father-daughter handshake was a lucky one, as the Eagles took home a staggering 55-23 win. According to ESPN, Barkley scored one touchdown after dashing 60 yards during the Eagles’ first play.
In total, he ran for 118 yards including three of the Eagles’ seven rushing touchdowns. ESPN Research reported that his run tied him for the most in a playoff game in NFL history.
Immediately after the game, Barkley was photographed celebrating with his family, as he and Jada rolled around on the confetti-covered field with grins on their faces.
“I ain’t gonna lie. I tried to downplay it in my head, but it’s amazing, man,” Barkley told Fox’s Erin Andrews after the team’s win, per ESPN. “It’s amazing. We’re here. Super Bowl.”
“But the goal wasn’t just getting there,” he added. “The goal’s to win, and we’re gonna celebrate, enjoy this and get right back to work.”
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Barkley has always been candid about his love for his family. Just six months after Jada was born, she made an appearance on the field at one of her dad’s New York Giants games. Congdon — who has been dating the NFL star since the pair met in college nearly 10 years ago — carried Jada in a papoose as the family of three posed for photos in the stadium.
The athlete has also shared in an interview that his children have inspired his football career. In June 2019 (before Saquon Jr.’s birth), he told NJ Advance Media that he considers his daughter in every decision he makes.
“Obviously I do it for myself because I love the game, I love competing and I want to go down as one of the best [in NFL history], but I go out there and sacrifice my body every single day for my daughter,” he said.
“It’s not just football” where his goals are fueled by his daughter. “Every business decision I make, every investment, every marketing deal, all have to come with the mindset of my daughter being first,” Barkley told the outlet.
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