Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley Shares Special Handshake with Daughter, 6, at NFC Championship Game

Mar. 15, 2025

Saquon Barkley and his daughter Jada hug following the Eagles' win at the NFC Championship Game.Photo:Mitchell Leff/Getty

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs his daughter Jada after their 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders to win the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025

Mitchell Leff/Getty

Saquon Barkleyalways has time for his daughter — even right before a very important football game!

On Sunday, Jan. 26, just before the running back, 27, and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game and secured their spot in the 2025 Super Bowl, Barkley took a moment to greet his kids and girlfriend.

In an adorablevideoshared on the NFL on Fox X account, Barkley’sdaughter Jada, 6, son Saquon Jr., 2, andgirlfriend Anna Congdoncould be seen approaching him on the sidelines. The athlete asked Jada to “gimme a handshake,” and the pair launched into a prepared sequence, complete with kisses on each cheek and a peace sign.

Barkley then bent down to hug Jada, who wore a white puffer coat with an Eagles sweatshirt underneath.

“Love you, daddy!” she can be heard telling the running back.

Although he didn’t have quite as involved of a handshake for his son, Barkley put his face up to Saquon Jr.’s and also gave Congdon a kiss.

Saquon Barkley during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship on Jan. 26, 2025.Mitchell Leff/Getty

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the football during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025

It would seem the father-daughter handshake was a lucky one, as the Eagles took home a staggering 55-23 win. According toESPN, Barkley scored one touchdown after dashing 60 yards during the Eagles' first play.

Intotal, he ran for 118 yards including three of the Eagles' seven rushing touchdowns. ESPN Research reported that his run tied him for the most in a playoff game in NFL history.

Immediately after the game, Barkley was photographed celebrating with his family, as he and Jada rolled around on the confetti-covered field with grins on their faces.

“I ain’t gonna lie. I tried to downplay it in my head, but it’s amazing, man,” Barkley told Fox’sErin Andrewsafter the team’s win, per ESPN. “It’s amazing. We’re here. Super Bowl.”

“But the goal wasn’t just getting there,” he added. “The goal’s to win, and we’re gonna celebrate, enjoy this and get right back to work.”

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Saquon Barkley and daughter Jada celebrate after the Eagles clinched their Super Bowl spot.Mitchell Leff/Getty

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs his daughter Jada after their 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders to win the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025

Barkley has always been candid about his love for his family. Just six months after Jada was born, she made an appearance on the field at one of her dad’s New York Giants games. Congdon — who has been dating the NFL star since the pair met in college nearly 10 years ago — carried Jada in a papoose as thefamily of three posed for photosin the stadium.

The athlete has also shared in an interview that his children have inspired his football career. In June 2019 (before Saquon Jr.’s birth), he toldNJ Advance Mediathat he considers his daughter in every decision he makes.

“Obviously I do it for myself because I love the game, I love competing and I want to go down as one of the best [in NFL history], but I go out there and sacrifice my body every single day for my daughter," he said.

source: people.com