Saquon Barkley, an American professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, has consistently been supported by his parents, Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson, throughout his career.
Barkley, born on February 9, 1997, in The Bronx, New York, rose to prominence as a remarkable athlete during his time at Whitehall High School in Pennsylvania.
At Whitehall, he showcased his talent by rushing for 3,646 yards and scoring 63 touchdowns from his sophomore to senior years, including an impressive 1,856 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior.
He committed to Penn State University, where he played from 2015 to 2017. In his freshman year, Barkley’s outstanding performance earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors.
His sophomore and junior years solidified his place among the nation’s top players, earning back-to-back Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year awards.
After his junior year, Barkley declared for the NFL Draft and was selected second overall by the New York Giants in 2018, marking the start of his professional career.
Barkley had an incredible rookie season in 2018, amassing over 1,300 rushing yards, 15 total touchdowns, and earning accolades like NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection.
In 2019, despite battling a high ankle sprain, he became the first player in Giants history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, highlighted by a career-best 189-yard game in Week 16.
Unfortunately, his 2020 season was cut short in Week 2 due to a torn ACL, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
Returning in 2021, he faced further injury setbacks but still contributed 593 rushing yards and 263 receiving yards across 13 games, showing resilience as he worked to regain his form.
In 2022, Barkley made a strong comeback, leading the NFC with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, earning another Pro Bowl selection and helping the Giants secure a playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings.
On March 13, 2024, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, debuting with three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers and earning multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week honours for standout performances.
Barkley’s unwavering focus and groundbreaking success cement his status as one of football’s most determined and talented players.
On November 24, 2024, Saquon Barkley’s 255-yard performance led the Eagles to a 37-20 win over the Rams, marking their seventh straight victory and boosting his MVP candidacy.
The Unbreakable Family Bond Behind Saquon Barkley’s NFL Career
Saquon Barkley, born to Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson, grew up in a close-knit and supportive family environment.
In 2001, after experiencing homelessness for much of the year, Saquon and his family moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley in search of a safer and more suburban environment.
The family later moved to neighboring Allentown and, in 2005, to Coplay, Pennsylvania.
In a 2023 interview, Saquon shared:
I’ve been homeless before. I was probably six or seven and we got evicted. I bounced around. Having the support of family and friends helped us, and that got us back on our feet.
Via Nytimes
Happy Father's Day Dad!!! Thanks for being the best dad and always being there for me love ya man ✊🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/DareKcf4Ed
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) June 19, 2016
Saquon’s parents were instrumental in supporting his athletic pursuits, creating a stable and nurturing environment that allowed him to thrive.
His father, Alibay Barkley, had a strong boxing background, which influenced Saquon’s mental and physical toughness on the football field.
Alibay’s boxing career ended prematurely due to an injury. At just 19, he faced legal troubles, including a year spent in Rikers Island on a gun charge.
Additionally, Saquon’s great-uncle, Iran Barkley, was a former WBC middleweight champion, winning the 1988 title – a testament to the family’s athletic legacy.
In June 2024, Alibay made headlines when he was arrested in the Bronx for possession of a loaded weapon.
He claimed the gun belonged to his wife for safety purposes.
MOMMA!!! https://t.co/o880OubpP1
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) September 3, 2019
Saquon’s mother, Tonya Johnson, has maintained a low profile but has been a constant source of encouragement and strength for her family.
She is known for her philanthropic efforts within the community and her unwavering presence at Saquon’s games.
She is the vice president of the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation.
When Saquon faced a neck injury in 2022, his mother expressed her pride, saying:
I’ve been there from the beginning to now, and just to see his consistency and determination to get back on that field and all the hard work that he put in trying to get his body right as well as his mind right, ’cause once your mind is right then your body will focus along with it tremendously proud of him.
Via Nypost
The Barkley family has always celebrated Saquon’s milestones together.
In 2018, they participated in a hometown parade in Coplay, Pennsylvania, honouring Saquon’s achievements, with the Whitehall High School marching band and children from his youth football league joining in the festivities.
He is one of six siblings, including three brothers – Rashard Johnson, Ali Barkley, and Alibay Jr. – and two sisters, Shaquona Barkley and Aliyah Barkley.
Alibay Jr., one of Saquon’s brothers, displayed exceptional baseball skills, leading to his selection by the Los Angeles Angels.
Saquon’s sister, Shaquona, is a business leader who runs a podcast and a luxury beauty brand while working in event marketing.
Another brother, Rashard, raises awareness of his daughter’s rare genetic condition, and his youngest sibling, Aliyah, is a track star at West Virginia University, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
Family is at the heart of everything Saquon does. One of his proudest achievements was purchasing a house for his parents, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Despite challenges and successes, Saquon’s love for his family has remained his driving force, shaping him into the dedicated athlete and person he is today.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Saquon Barkley earned the title of Mr. Pennsylvania Football in 2014.
- He is a Christian by religion.
- Barkley and his longtime girlfriend, Anna Congdon, have two children: Jada Clare Barkley, born on April 24, 2018, and Saquon Barkley Jr., born in September 2022.
