Eagles’ Saquon Barkley puts New York Giants fans in their place after rooting for 76ers during their playoff game in Philly

Barkley had an unpleasant experience while watching the 76ers lose to the Knicks in Philadelphia.

Eagles’ Saquon Barkley puts New York Giants fans in their place after rooting for 76ers during their playoff game in Philly

Saquon Barkley has had enough of Giants fans calling him a traitor (Image via IMAGO)

On March 13, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles unveiled former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley as their new speedster. It’s been close to two months since the switch, and yet the Giants fans can’t seem to forgive the 27-year-old for apparently ‘backstabbing them.’

Barkley wants to leave the hate behind and move on in life, but it seems the Giants fandom doesn’t want to forgive him just yet, even when he’s attending a basketball game. On Thursday night, the Wells Fargo Center in Philly hosted the sixth playoff game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.

Several Knicks fans, who perhaps were also Giants supporters, traveled to watch the game. Barkley was in attendance as well, alongside AJ Brown, who recently became the highest-paid wide receiver. New recruits Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were also seen cheering for the 6ers.

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Barkley must have thought he would be fine because it was Philly and he wasn’t George Kittle. Well, he guessed wrong. It wasn’t a happy reunion for the two-time Pro Bowler. 

It’s been two months... lol, no way ya can still be this mad! Mf can’t even go to a basketball game.
Saquon Barkley wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

Perhaps he should have worn something other than blue. Anyway, what made matters worse is that the 76ers narrowly lost the game to the Knicks. The reaction by some of the fans painted a clear picture.

The Giants didn’t offer Barkley any contract reason for him leaving them

The Giants loved Barkley, as evident from their owner John Mara’s words. Yet he was handed ‘traitor’ status after he opted to play for NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eagles' Saquon Barkley puts New York Giants fans in their place after rooting for 76ers during their playoff game in Philly
Saquon Barkley (Image via IMAGO)

However, the Penn State graduate wanted a contract extension; he only received a chump change as his reward. After racking up a career-high 295 rushes for 1312 yards and 10 touchdowns, Barkley asked for a long-term deal. Instead, he was tagged by the Giants, forcing him to play for $10 million for one year.

Barkley was the only spark in an otherwise dull Giants attack. He had 247 carries for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns. Yet in return, he wasn’t offered the desired salary. So he chose to part ways.

Let me educate some of you fans here... I can’t bail or become a traitor if I never got an offer to come back, so I went to the organization I felt that was the best, and after already being here for a month, man, I’m excited to be an eagle! Go birds.
Saquon Barkley wrote on X

He said the same on Jason Kelce‘s ‘New Heights‘ podcast.

I understand fans being upset about me going to Philly. First of all, the [New York] Giants didn’t even offer me... Honestly, if fans wouldn’t be mad that I went from New York to Philadelphia, that means I did nothing when I was in New York. That means I made an impact at some point.
Saquon Barkley said

In the end, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.8 million contract with $26 million guaranteed. 

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