Saquon Barkley, the new running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, recently appeared on the New Heights podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, where he addressed remarks made by Tiki Barber, the former New York Giants running back turned afternoon drive host on WFAN’s Evan Tiki show. Following Barkley’s departure from the Giants to their rival, Philadelphia, Barber’s comments sparked controversy.
Barber was quoted saying, “He’s dead to us now. You’re dead to us. Good luck, you’re dead to me.” He further expressed his disappointment, stating, “The fact that Saquon would even contemplate going to play for that team in Philadelphia is insulting to his Giant history and legacy. Go to Baltimore, go to Houston, go to LA Chargers. Do not go to the Philadelphia Eagles, that appreciation respect, and reverence we have for you, Saquon, will be lost. Will be gone.”
Barkley promptly responded on Twitter, stating, “@TikiBarber lol yup you’re the prime example of loyalty to a team…I got the deal I wanted, and secured more GM (guaranteed money) which wasn’t given to me before… so if fans are gonna hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs.”
Barber, addressing his comments on Evan Tiki, clarified his stance, saying, “I’ve been retired for 17 years, 18 years. I am now in the media… The fact that my emotional reaction responding to you going to the Philadelphia Eagles, which is, by the way, the voice of a lot of Giants fans, I’d say the majority of Giants fans, and you’re going to come back and talk about something from 17 years ago that you don’t even understand or are misrepresenting? That’s fine, be that way then.”
He reiterated similar sentiments on The Dan Patrick Show, stating, “Our job is to entertain, to inform, and sometimes get a little bit visceral because that’s how the fan is… That’s how Giants fans were feeling about Saquon Barkley. I just happened to be the messenger that got the shrapnel from Saquon when he decided to respond to the one-day story.”
Barkley, on the New Heights podcast, criticized Barber for “feeding into the BS” and suggested focusing on the business aspect rather than emotional reactions. He acknowledged fans’ anger, saying, “Honestly, if fans wouldn’t be mad that I went from New York to Philly, that means I did nothing when I was in New York, whether on the field or off the field, that means I made an impact at some point, that’s the reason why fans were so torn apart about it.”
Saquon shared his thoughts on the RB market, and the reactions to him signing with Philly pic.twitter.com/lsvMetu0rI
— New Heights (@newheightshow) March 27, 2024
Barkley’s contract with the Eagles is reported to be worth $37.75 million over three years, with $26 million guaranteed. Despite nearly securing a long-term deal with the Giants last offseason, Barkley opted to sign with the Eagles after no contract talks were initiated by the Giants this year.
