Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will lead the Philadelphia Eagles onto the field this Sunday in Super Bowl LIX and no one is prouder than the team’s former general manager, Dave Gettleman.
It was Gettleman who determined Barkley had been “touched by the hand of God” before selecting him second overall in the 2018 NFL draft — a decision widely criticized despite Barkley’s success.
Now, long after Gettleman’s tenure has ended, he has the opportunity to gloat over his talent evaluation and is taking the opportunity to do exactly that.
“I will say this, I certainly didn’t expect him to turn around and leap over a guy,” Gettleman told the New York Post. “I was watching the game live and I was like, ‘You got to be (expletive) me.’”
From the onset, Gettleman believed Barkley was a Hall of Fame talent and would ultimately conclude his career with a gold jacket. Even if the Eagles don’t win on Sunday, that projection appears likely and no one is happier about that than the 73-year-old, who loves to remind everyone he was right.
“When a running back can get to the line of scrimmage clean, nobody’s at his feet, the great ones can do great things,” Gettleman said. “There’s nothing his game lacks in terms of ability. The thing people didn’t understand when I took him is that he’s a threat to go the distance any time the ball is in his hands.
“When a running back is a legitimate touchdown waiting to happen, (expletive) the analytics. You’re in the press box, the ball goes into Saquon’s hands, the whole place is holding their breath as soon as there’s a little seam they’re all thinking, ‘Oh (expletive), he’s gonna go!’ Does this shock me? No. And I know I sound like an (expletive) when I say these things. No, it doesn’t shock me.”
Barkley remains close with Gettleman, admitting the two still communicate and text regularly. He never felt any pressure to live up to Gettleman’s high praise, instead suggesting it served as fuel to motivate him. Criticism of the selection also motivated Barkley.
They’re both on top of the world and laughing now but the irony can’t be lost: Barkley is doing it with the Giants’ biggest rivals.
“He’s just a great young man,” Gettleman said. “It’s a great situation for him. He’s in the right place and I’m thrilled for him and I’m proud of him.”
In what will shock no one, Gettleman is rooting for Barkley to win Super Bowl LIX, hoist an MVP trophy, and stick it to the Giants one more time.
