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Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle in NFL game will blow your mind


Saquon Barkley's reverse hurdle in NFL game will blow your mind

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley seemingly invented a new football move on Sunday with a stunning reverse hurdle throw over a Jacksonville Jaguars defender.

Call it “The Saquon.”

Barkley caught a pass in the second quarter on Nov. 3, spun around a defender and turned his back on Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones. He then jumped backwards over Jones in what Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni called “the best play I've ever seen.”

The stunning move looked like something out of “The Matrix” or a video game, except even soccer video games don't currently allow players to complete inverted hurdles. It was part of a big game for Barkley, who totaled 199 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-23 win over the Jaguars.

“What I think is so cool about Saquon's play is that there will be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia – I'm really thinking about it – trying to put this play together, talking about this play and it to simulate while they're playing backyard football or pee wee football,” Sirianni said, according to NBC Sports, via a team transcript.

“They won’t be able to do it because I think he’s the only one in the world who can,” Sirianni continued. “I'm speechless.” It was incredible and the way the crowd – when I looked up, like I thought I saw what I saw. As a coach, sometimes you look at the line, at the sideline, at the defense. And so I thought I saw it, but when I looked at the big screen and the crowd reacted to it, it was incredible. I can’t emphasize enough how athletic he is.”

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles overcomes Jarrian Jones #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
What?! Eagles running back Saquon Barkley outran Jaguars defender Jarrian Jones in a stunning move in the Eagles' victory on November 3rd. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The move was so stunning that even other NFL players were excited.

“No, you’re really sick @saquon,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin wrote on X.

“Bruh @saquon this is crazy!” Retired Dallas Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant wrote on X.

“Did I just see Saquon do that? Jumping backwards over a defender,” posted podcaster and former Denver Broncos star Shannon Sharpe.

Football fans were also overwhelmed.

“Backward hurdle is crazy,” one fan wrote on X.

“This man cleared the hurdle backwards,” commented another.

Barkley also shared his own reaction to the moment.

“GOD is awesome!!! Back to work,” Barkley captioned a video of the highlight on X.

The incredible maneuver was the latest highlight of a great season for the former Penn State star, who is in his first year with the Eagles after playing his first six seasons with the New York Giants. The 27-year-old Barkley is second in the NFL in rushing, first in runs of 40 or more yards and second in total yards from scrimmage, behind only Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry.

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