The Philadelphia Eagles are back in the Super Bowl, facing the Kansas City Chiefs once more. However, with last year’s catastrophe, this did not seem like a sure conclusion. After losing six of their last seven games, they needed an offensive reset to fight for the championship. Enter Saquon Barkley, who carried for 2,005 yards during the regular season and has maintained that pace in the playoffs. The Athletic spoke with one of Barkley’s high school coaches, who helped rescue his football career.
Former Whitehall High School head coach Brian Gilbert told Bruce Feldman, “I don’t want to exaggerate, but the varsity coaching staff and I literally brought him in because we’d heard after his freshman year of high school he was going to quit football.”
“Barkley was frustrated and struggled with his self-esteem. Some children had matured faster than him. He did not play varsity during his sophomore year since his best friend was ahead of him. Saquon needed to work. That’s how he’s wired and why he’s so amazing. I remarked, “Listen, you may not be the best right now, but we see potential in you.” We see how quick you are. “You need to give it more time.”
Barkley followed that counsel, and it has worked well for him and Eagles fans this season. How can he solidify his place in Philadelphia history on Sunday?
The Eagles need Saquon Barkley to win the Super Bowl
Nick Foles served as a backup quarterback during his career. He was sitting behind the Eagles’ future quarterback, and it felt like their Super Bowl aspirations were dashed when he came in during the 2017 regular season. He is now a Philadelphia legend thanks to one of the best Super Bowl performances in history.
Saquon Barkley just had one of the best regular seasons in running back history. They would not have made it into the playoffs without his tremendous rushing, given the problems of the passing game. It continued in the NFC Championship, with three touchdowns, despite Jalen Hurts picking it up against the Commanders.
Brian Gilbert not only saved the 2024 Eagles, but also Barkley’s football career, which might lead him to Canton. Only eight other running backs have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season, and only one of those teams won the Super Bowl that year. Terrell Davis and the 1998 Broncos might be historical roommates by Sunday night. While Barkley get a lot of praise, Gilbert will be pleased that he played a role in the triumph.