‘This is why I came here’: Penn State great Saquon Barkley speaks out on Super Bowl berth

The Philadelphia Eagles are going back to the Super Bowl. Although the franchise’s second trip to the NFL championship in three years, this one perhaps means a little more to many Eagles fans, as they get to watch a favorite son – Pennsylvania product and Penn State football great Saquon Barkley – chase his first title.

“Man, I don’t really know what to say. I’m going to the Super Bowl. I’m super excited,” Barkley told FOX’s Tom Brady after the game. “I’m happy for this team; it was a team effort. The goal is not just getting there. The goal is winning. So, one more.”

Barkley wasn’t the only one unable to put the moment into words. However, for many of his Eagles teammates, it was another spectacular performance from the former Nittany Lions running back that left them dumbstruck.

SAQUON BARKLEY 60 YARD TD ON THE EAGLES FIRST PLAY 🤯😱

UNREAL.

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/z1nwtMZhDP

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2025

“[I’m] speechless. The guy is special, man,” offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said. “What else is there to say? The first play of the game, the guy goes out for 60 [yards] to the house. I’m trying not to swear right now.”

Barkley rushed for three scores, two of which came on his first two carries, as the Eagles surged past the Washington Commanders 55-23. The Penn State football great ran for 118 yards, his third 100-yard performance of the postseason and his 14th of the year. Barkley now has 2,447 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

Ex-Penn State football star expected success in Philadelphia

© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The next two weeks could be legacy-defining for the former Whitehall standout turned NFL superstar.

On February 6, Barkley looks to become the first running back in 14 years to win the NFL MVP. Doing so would also make him the first-ever Penn State football letterman to win the award. Three days later, the Eagles will attempt to halt the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

But while the culmination of success in his first season in Philadelphia may be surreal in the moment, it hasn’t taken Barkley by surprise.

“I expected this. This is why I came here. I wanted to be in Philly,” he said. “This is why me and my family made the decision to come here. We felt like we could grow our family name, my legacy, and come out here and compete for championships. And here we are.”

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