If the United States is looking for someone to send to a troubled part of the world to calm things down and put smiles on people's faces, they may want to consider Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
Eagles fans knew they were getting a multi-talented three-down player who can score any time he touches the ball, but did they know they were getting a guy who would represent the Eagles and the NFL in Brazil with such grace and good will?
Barkley, who scored three touchdowns, a hat trick in the soccer world, was asked about scoring not just the first touchdown of his career with the Eagles, but the first
NFL touchdown scored in Brazil and South America.
Barkley was also asked how he felt about the historic moment and about the atmosphere at São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians.
Barkley’s response made him an instant hit with the people of Brazil.
It also must have crushed so many Giants fans who are still fuming General Manager Joe Schoen allowed their most popular player to walk.
“I’m the first person to ever score in South America, that’s cool,” Barkley said at his postgame press conference. “I've definitely got to try to get that game ball. That is something I would hang up, put in my house.
“But the atmosphere was electric. I kind of knew what it was going to be like. One of my boys, he stayed out here for a little bit. He went to the soccer game…oops football, my fault…while he was here, and he sent me a video. I knew what it was going to be about.
“The thing I took out…outside of how electric the fans were, that national anthem. I’m not really familiar with Portuguese. So I don’t really know what was being said. But I saw how everyone was singing, everyone was all doing it together, it literally gave me chills.
“If you ask anybody what they thought [they’d say]…’wow that was special.’
“I think if you can’t get ready for a football game after hearing your national anthem, then seeing your guy’s national anthem, being here, being in the moment and realizing we are making history, you’ve got to check yourself.”
Big Blue played the Packers back on October 8, 2022 in London. Barkley had 13 carries for 70 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
He added three catches for 36 yards. The Giants came back from a 17-3 deficit to win 27-22.
In his first game as an Eagle, he carried the ball 24 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 23 yards and another touchdown.
Barkley was asked if it is the international games, or the Packers that inspires great games out of him?
“I think it’s the international games, right?” Barkley said with a smile “Two international games and two ‘Player of the Game.’ It’s happened to me twice.
“Hopefully we can schedule a little bit more [international games]…then you guys can see me a little bit more in South America or you never know where ever else we go.
“I love it,” Barkley continued, warming to the subject. “I truly enjoy it. I take pride in it, growing the game and expanding the brand…even myself.
“I never thought when I was seven years old, starting football, where this game would take me to. I try to just get lost in that and enjoy the moment...and every time I’m doing that, just try and have the most fun I can and play to the level I can.”
Barkley was one of only a few Eagles who seemed to light up when asked about going to play a regular season NFL game in Brazil, even with the 10-hour flight each way.
After the game, Eagles players seemed genuinely happy that they went. Barkley was asked about the mood in the Eagles locker room after the game. He was also asked to send a message to all the new NFL Fans in Brazil.
Barkley revealed he had been to Brazil earlier in the year…and again, he was sure to relay how much loved the whole national anthem thing.
“The locker room mood was great,” Barkley said. “Anytime you get a win in this league, you’re always excited. It’s hard to win in this league…It’s super hard. Some people don’t truly understand that. So, the locker room was great.
“The message I would give to the fans is…to everyone in Brazil, thank you so much. The culture here, everything about it was beautiful. We had a blast.
“Honestly, I came out here before on my own,” Barkley continued. “I came out for Carnival (Carnival in Rio de Janeiro). So I got to dive into the culture a little bit more. I got to go out and party…I think it’s called ‘funk’…I tried my little dance, or my little version of it…it was awesome.
“The national anthem…obviously I love my country, but when it was your guy’s national anthem, I got chills. I never remember seeing anything like it. It was an honor to be part of it.”
BARKLEY SCORED POINTS WITH EAGLES FANS AS WELL
Barkley was asked how he thought he was going to be used by the Eagles and how it turned out in his first game.
“I’ve been saying throughout camp that there would be opportunities for me to be out there and deliver,” Barkley said. “And that there would be games for A.J. (Brown) and DeVonta (Smith) and (Dallas) Goedert and so on and so on…I have no idea [who will be called on].
“I think Kellen (OC Moore) has a real good feel for the game, feel for the players…still, I felt like I left a lot out there and can’t wait to get back and watch the film, see where I can improve.
“It was a great start. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to win football games…that’s how they do it in this league, especially against a great team like that.”
Barkley spread the love he has for his new teammates.
“One, you have to give credit to the offensive line, it starts with the offensive line and Jalen (Hurts), making the right reads and putting us in the right positions” He said. “The O-line is setting me up and making me look better than I actually am.
“It doesn’t hurt to have Dallas Goedert, A.J. Brown and DeVonte Smith. On the scouting report, I’m probably not even top three you’ve got to worry about.
“It makes my job a lot easier. Kellen does a really good job of putting us in a position to be really special.”
Barkley was asked if getting that first game in with the Birds was a relief. The 27-year-old out of Penn State said all he wants to do is prove his worth the his peers and Eagles fans.
“Once I signed, I kind of had that monkey off my back,” Barkley sai
d. “I was super excited and thankful for the opportunity. Not trying to get too much into the past but, I was just able to lock in.
“At the end of the day, you can say what you want, the money’s good and all that…but I truly love this game, I love playing football. I was able to take care of that…shout out to my team, shout out to my agent. I’m here…I want to be special.
“I want to be special in this offense. I want to be special for this team. I want to give Philly something they can be proud about. I think they will be happy with the start, being 1-0. It’s beautiful to be here, beautiful to be in South America.
"Now I get to go back home and do it in front of our fans on Monday night.” *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com.
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