Even after hanging up his cleats, Tom Brady still knows a jaw-dropping play when he sees one. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and FOX Sports analyst shared his favorite moment of the 2024-2025 NFL season—and it was all about Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
Saquon Barkley’s Backward Hurdle Amazed NFL G.O.A.T Tom Brady
Barkley’s viral moment came in a regular-season matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he turned a routine 3rd-and-6 into the highlight of the season. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found a short pass to the RB, and what happened next defied logic to fans and analysts.
During FOX’s “Road to the Super Bowl” special, Brady was left speechless while discussing Barkley’s “backward hurdle” against the Jacksonville Jaguars in November. “Are you freakin’ kidding me?! That is cheat code right there,” Brady said, marveling at the move.
Barkley leaped over Jacksonville’s cornerback Jarrian Jones—but not just any hurdle. The All-Pro running back somehow managed to jump backward over his defender before completing a 14-yard gain.
“What was that? I’ve never seen that move and I’ve been watching football all my life. No one has ever done this. How do you jump over a guy backwards,” said the commentator during the game.
Have a look:
.@TomBrady's favorite play of the year?
It had to be @Saquon's backwards hurdle 😏
📺: Road to the Super Bowl on FOX pic.twitter.com/6HzgIGl50e
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) February 9, 2025
While the play didn’t result in a touchdown, the star RB displayed insane athleticism. Barkley’s highlight-reel move didn’t just impress Brady—it also caught the attention of EA Sports. The legendary spin hurdle and backward jump were officially added to Madden NFL 25.
Barkley’s stature in Philly grew bigger after every game. He finished the regular season with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Surprisingly, the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs was one of Barkley’s quieter games in the 2024 NFL season. With the second-ranked defense by PFSN’s Defense+ metric, the Eagles still managed to find an easy win.
Kansas City’s defense held him to just 57 yards on 25 carries in the championship game, but Barkley still made history. He surpassed Terrell Davis’ all-time single-season rushing record (2,476 yards in 1998) by finishing with 2,504 total yards.
The Eagles dominated the two-time defending champions led by Patrick Mahomes, winning 40-22. But for Barkley, stats and records took a backseat to one thing: finally getting to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
“Hell of a year, right? I couldn’t do it without the big boys up front, everyone on this team. I just appreciate them – the whole Eagles organization,” Barkley said. “Of me being a newcomer, welcoming me in with open arms and helping build confidence back in me too.
“That was definitely helpful. It was a hell of a year, but all of the numbers and stats or records are cool, but the best thing is to be able to hold that Lombardi Trophy.”