Saquon Barkley's hometown roots

“I felt relief,” said Brian Gilbert, Saquon Barkley’s high school football coach. “Obviously we were happy for him and his family and for his teammates, but more so relieved that it was over and they came out as champions.”

Saquon Barkley became a Super Bowl champion with the Eagles Super Bowl LIX win, after signing a three-year deal with Philadelphia in the offseason.

He attended Whitehall High School in the Lehigh Valley where he played basketball, track and of course, football.

“This year there were visions of that kid who loved the game,” Gilbert said. “It’s a job for these guys, but for Saquon, it’s still a game. I really think he enjoys playing the game and being with his teammates and coaches.”

Barkley did everything he could to put himself in the record books in high school. He finished his senior season with over 1,500 rushing yards, an 8.6 yards per carry average, and 31 touchdowns.

It wasn’t just his stats that made him stand out, but his leadership too.

As one of the captains, he encouraged his teammates to go to the weight room an extra day than they were required to. There was also a pivotal game where Barkley asked to do the halftime speech instead of the coaches, and then Whitehall won in overtime.

In 2014, he was named to PA Football News’ First Team All-State list.

“The Saquon Barkley way is if you want something, you work at it.”

Barkley originally committed to Rutgers, but after attending a Whiteout game at Penn State, he wanted to decommit.

“That was a moment in time that made him grow as a person,” Gilbert said. “It was very hard for him, very uncomfortable for him, and I’m glad I was there for him in that moment.”

Barkley played for Penn State from 2015-17 and finished as the school’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and all-purpose yards.

“Penn State has the best players in the country. No one could predict, not even Coach Franklin, that he was going to be the stand-out that he was.”

He was selected second overall in the 2018 draft to the New York Giants.

To finish his degree, Barkley returned to Penn State and graduated in May 2022. According to Penn State Head Coach James Franklin, Barkley graduated with over a 3.0 GPA.

Being a lifelong Eagles fan made this Super Bowl extra special for Gilbert.

“I’ve always cheered for the Eagles. Can you imagine one of your own players being on the team that you cheer for.”

They are still in contact today.

“I send him texts: congratulations, good job, I’m proud of you. Really, my communication is just to let him know that his Whitehall roots are behind you.”

Allie Wenskoski is a third-year broadcast journalism student. To contact her, please email amw7637@psu.edu.