Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
(East Rutherford, NJ) – When Eagles running back Saquon Barkley signed a new deal to moved down I-95 and join Philadelphia, fans were upset.
Some were shocked that Barkley had left to join a rival. And before the ink on the contract could dry, Barkley was taking shots.
Specifically, he took to X and criticized Tiki Barber. That’s because Barber, a former Giants RB in his own right – and now a radio host – said Barkley was “dead to him.”
Barber now explains the comment was “tongue in cheek,” but Barkley’s still smarting. He’s not ready to bury the beef. Appearing on former Eagles’ center Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, Barkley seemed to think Barber had betrayed the NFL fraternity:
“I love seeing NFL guys, I love seeing OGs, I love seeing you guys, you have a platform, this is a place where you know ball, you can talk, you can educate fans,” Barkley said while referring to Kelce and his brother – Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Barkley continued in that vein, seemingly wishing Barber had expounded on the business side of the game:
“Maybe use that time to show, ‘Maybe this is why Saquon is going to Philly’ … the business side of it, use that to show, I’m not saying you got to have loyalty to me because I don’t care for that, to be honest, but you are an ex-NFL player, an ex-NFL athlete, don’t feed into the B.S., let fans do that, they’re supposed to do that, they’re emotional.”
For his part, Barber explains he’s really much closer to being a fan these days – something he may be embracing in order to become a more effective radio host.
Speaking on his WFAN sports radio show, Barber explained “I’ve been retired for 17 years, 18 years. I am now in the media. The fact that my emotional reaction responding to you going to the Philadelphia Eagles, which is, by the way, the voice of a lot of Giants fans, I’d say the majority of Giants fans, and you’re going to come back and talk about something from 17 years ago that you don’t even understand or are misrepresenting? That’s fine, be that way then. I like Saquon Barkley. By the way, saying dead to me was basically tongue in cheek, but it is what it is. Get offended.”
As he prepares for life in Philadelphia, Barkley thinks Giants fans are “torn” over his departure.
“Honestly, if fans wouldn’t be mad that I went from New York to Philly, that means I did nothing when I was in New York, whether on the field or off the field, that means I made an impact at some point, that’s the reason why fans were so torn apart about it. I see my jersey getting burned, my family’s getting threats, my house, I see that part of it,” Barkley shared. He also claims Giants fans will “forever hold a place in my heart. … Ultimately the NFL is a business, and I hope that everyone can respect my decision.”
But then it’s also worth noting that Barkley – drafted 2nd overall by the Giants in 2018 – never would have earned the amount of cash he has without that draft position. So some fans are fairly critical of Barkley for a perceived lack of loyalty, after he showed little willingness to resign with New York – and quickly bolted for a bigger payday in Philly.
“A place in one’s heart” is a phrase – so is “it is what it is.” The best of luck to Barkley, who will keep on running, as that’s his job. Barber will keep on talking – because these days, that’s his.
