It was one of the most memorable plays of the 2024 NFL season. It left Pro Bowl wide receivers and a Super Bowl-winning coach in awe. It will grace the cover of the newest Madden NFL video game.
The annual sports awards show gave Barkley’s incredible feat against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9 of last season the ‘Best Play’ award.
The Philadelphia Eagles running back flew like an eagle on the play, reverse hurdling over Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones to convert a third-and-six in the second quarter.
Philadelphia ended up winning the game 28-23 thanks in no small part to Barkley’s 199 total yards (159 rushing, 40 receiving) and two touchdowns.
It was one of his six games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns but that play stood out to his teammates and coach.
‘It was the best play I’ve ever seen,’ Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said after the game. ‘What I think is so cool, there’s going to be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia trying to make that play and talking about that play and simulating that play as they play backyard football or peewee football. They ain’t going to be able to make it – I believe he’s the only one in the world that can do that. I’m speechless. It was unbelievable.’
‘Crazy,’ Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith said. ‘I ain’t never seen nothing like it.’
The ESPYS certainly agreed.
It was an iconic play in an incredible season for the former No. 2 overall pick. Barkley signed with the Super Bowl champion Eagles last offseason following six years with the New York Giants. He led the league in carries (345) and rushing yards (2,005) and tallied 15 total touchdowns. That was good enough for first-team All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year honors.
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