Saquon Barkley had the best season of his NFL career in 2024, as he became the ninth running back in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards. While he had an opportunity to break the rushing record, needing just 101 yards in the final game, he opted to sit out and focus on the postseason.
The 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year finished with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 carries, adding 278 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 33 receptions. His decision to rest for the playoffs also paid off as the Philadelphia Eagles won their second title in franchise history. Barkley ran for 499 yards and five touchdowns on 91 carries, while bringing in 13 passes for 75 yards.
The team is set to visit the White House on Monday, April 28, to celebrate their Super Bowl 59 victory. Their star running back was seen hanging out with United States President Donald Trump a day ahead of the official visit.
Saquon Barkley Meets With Donald Trump Ahead of White House Visit
Barkley was on hand at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Sunday morning, April 27, where he was seen alongside President Trump and others. NFL aggregator Dov Kleiman shared the photo on X, tweeting:
“Wholesome: Eagles star RB Saquon Barkley hung out with President Donald Trump this morning at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. Barkley has been spending a lot of time with the Trump family this offseason.”
Wholesome: Eagles star RB Saquon Barkley hung out with President Donald Trump this morning at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
Barkley has been spending a lot of time with the Trump family this offseason. pic.twitter.com/8fvg6Kivbw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman)
Barkley reportedly traveled back to Washington, D.C., on Marine One, the presidential helicopter. Howard Mortman of C-Span shared a clip of the 45th and 47th president and the three-time Pro Bowl running back exiting the aircraft, adding:
“President Trump exits helicopter and walks with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Trump: ‘What a nice guy he is. I wanted to race him but I decided not to do it.'”
President Trump exits helicopter and walks with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
Trump: "What a nice guy he is. I wanted to race him but I decided not to do it." pic.twitter.com/RRcDFEw62y— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman)
Barkley’s meeting with the United States’ president comes just days after his teammate, Jalen Hurts, made headlines for declining to answer a question about attending the White House for the team’s visit.
READ MORE: Will Hurts Visit the White House? Eagles QB’s Awkward Interview Moment Goes Viral
While going to the White House had been a common practice for championship-winning teams at both the professional and collegiate levels, that has changed during the Trump administration, with multiple teams opting not to visit. Things have begun to revert to how they were since his return to office, with several teams visiting; however, there have been players who have chosen not to attend.
