Saquon Barkley — the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion — recently made an appearance on First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” show and did not hold back. Maybe it was just the heat of the wings, but Barkley served up some spicy answers about his football career.
Fresh off one of the most historic seasons in NFL history, plus a $41.2 million contract extension, the talented running back for the Philadelphia Eagles dipped deep into his all-time favorite highlight reel.
Eagles Star RB Saquon Barkley Goes for Six in the Snow
Host Sean Evans wasted no time and asked Barkley — in between bites of spicy chicken wings — to share his personal favorite highlight. Barkley didn’t hesitate:
“My favorite highlight would be this year in the snow. We had a snow game, and I broke a long touchdown. For me, the reason why that’s my favorite play, is because [I was] kind of hyping myself up and talking to my therapist and my mentor and coming up with a mantra, I was talking to myself like saying, ‘This is it. This the time.’
“It’s kind of like where everything all came together and just clicked for me in that moment. But I think fans’ favorite would probably be like the little jump backward.”
Snow. Speed. Six. ❄️ @saquon’s favorite highlight ever? Easy choice. 🔥
(via @firstwefeast) pic.twitter.com/s2J2BgrS4J
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2025
That snow touchdown was no ordinary run. It was the most impactful play of Barkley’s career and it came in the clutch. He broke the 78-yard run in the fourth quarter of a nail-biting NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, dashing through inches of wet snow while 70,000 screaming Eagles fans went wild.
Barkley could be seen banging his helmet on his way to the end zone, showing pure joy and excitement for getting his team one step closer to the championship. The Eagles would go on to crush the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59.
Team-First Player Chose Playoff Highlight Over ‘Backwards Hurdle’
Still, Barkley’s now iconic backwards hurdle against the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the year remains a classic, just something we have never seen before. The sheer athleticism and fearlessness it takes to pull off stunned everyone and broke social media.
It became a true “where were you” moment and left a lasting mark on football culture. Kids are now attempting this move in pee-wee football leagues and backyard fields across the country, with the spectacular play even getting a feature in the Madden NFL video game.
While Barkley’s run in the snow will hold deep personal meaning for him and live in Eagles fans’ memories, the backwards hurdle is what will be replayed on NFL highlight reels and “craziest plays ever” lists for years to come.
Saquon is SICK!!!
I’ve never seen a guy jump over someone backwards before in my life. pic.twitter.com/b0Kgx6tNtP
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 3, 2024
Despite the instantly viral fame of the hurdle, Barkley’s answer made one thing clear: he’s focused on team success. The hurdle was great, but it wasn’t a touchdown in a high-stakes playoff game.
Remember, Barkley had a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season rushing record but rested on the final game of the regular season to preserve his health for the playoffs. There is no doubt he wanted the record, but he prioritized his team first and ultimately finished with the most rushing yards in a season with playoffs included.
Barkley is a team-first player, and his choice of highlight speaks volumes about his mindset. The amount that Saquon accomplished in his first year as an Eagle feels like more than most players do in their entire careers.