Eagles RB Saquon Barkley was standing at his locker stall after winning the NFC Championship, smiling profusely while Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” blared over the speakers: Can’t you feel it all over? Come on, let’s feel it all over people.
Barkley wasn’t singing, but he was speaking introspectively. The best running back in football was processing the fact that his Eagles were heading to the Super Bowl. The game will be played on February 9, coincidentally he’ll be celebrating his 28th birthday on that day.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Barkley who signed with the Eagles this offseason after six seasons stuck on mostly bad teams in New York. So, what were his thoughts in that magical, trophy-inducing moment?
“It’ll take a little more thought when it actually comes, but it’s a great birthday gift,” Barkley told me. “You know, we have others on the team that have the same birthday, Coop and Dre.”
That last part was a very telling insight into the way Barkley thinks. He is the living definition of a team player, always sharing the spotlight with his bonded brothers. In this instance, he was referencing rookie Cooper DeJean and practice squad member Andre Sam.
Everyone knows DeJean — a rising star at cornerback who forced a fumble in the NFC Divisional Round and got a hand in on a forced fumble credited to Zack Baun in the NFC Championship Game — and loves him.
👊 Eagles Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean talked about having a dual birthday party at the Super Bowl
On February 9th Super Bowl Sunday:
🎈#SaquonBarkley turns 28 years old
🎈#CooperDeJean turns 22 years old pic.twitter.com/Yoq44Be1TX— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) January 27, 2025
However, many people don’t know Sam. He played in only one game this season and saw 12 special-teams snaps. He’ll turn 26 on February 9. Right on brand, Barkley — a finalist for NFL MVP (announced on February 6) — felt the need to shout him out and make sure his birthday was celebrated. It’s going to be a special day for all the birthday boys.
“I don’t think winning the Super Bowl on your birthday, whether it’s the day before or the day after, I think just winning the Super Bowl in general is such a cool moment and it puts you in football royalty,” Barkley told reporters at Super Bowl Media Day. “And, it’s something that you want to accomplish as a little kid so whether to do it on my birthday or not, to be able to win it would mean everything. It would mean the world. And definitely make sure that I show gratitude and give thanks to the man upstairs and take it all in.”
Saquon Barkley celebrates his birthday on Feb. 9. That’s Super Bowl Sunday. If they win, “everything is on me,” Saquon told me. Love it. #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/BQAQb3HQTe
— Michael Greger (@mike_greger) January 27, 2025
Barkley knows all the headlines will be about him if the Eagles do the unthinkable so he wanted to put one more message out there.
“I’m the vet now so if we take care of business, everything’s on me,” Barkley told me with that mega-watt smile on full voltage.
Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean: Credits ‘Awesome People in Our Room’
DeJean will turn 22 on February 9. He was still letting it all soak in after the NFC Championship Game win, unable to fully put into words what everything meant especially what it was going to be like playing in the Super Bowl on his birthday.
“It’s crazy. I get to play one of the biggest games on my birthday,” DeJean told me. “It’s pretty awesome. Saquon’s birthday, too. It’s pretty special.”
Cooper DeJean talking to me about playing in the Super Bowl on his birthday, and what this moment means: “we gotta find a way to finish the job.” #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/U0mT4FuGpR
— Michael Greger (@mike_greger) January 27, 2025
When asked if they might have a little pre-game party or bring in a cake and blow out the candles, DeJean laughed and stated the obvious: “I think that’s the biggest birthday celebration we could get … playing in the biggest game on February 9.”
DeJean has enjoyed a breakout rookie year, finishing with 55 pass breakups while only allowing 50 receptions on 626 defensive snaps. He and rookie teammate Quinyon Mitchell were both named finalists for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. (The winner will be announced on February 6).
DeJean, ever humble and down to earth, was quick to praise his entire coaching staff for inspiring confidence and unleashing his talents. He specifically mentioned Eagles defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Christian Parker for boosting his play, along with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
“He’s taught me a lot,” DeJean said of Fangio. “And Coach Park. Coach Christian Parker and what he’s done for me. I wouldn’t be playing the way I am out on the field if I didn’t have the confidence that I do, not without those guys and all they’ve given me. What they’ve poured into me. So, it’s awesome to have people like that in our room.”
DeJean is one of the good guys in that room. As I was ending our conversation in the locker room, I let it slip that my birthday was also on February 9. DeJean wouldn’t let me walk away without a salute: “Oh, happy early birthday to you, enjoy it!”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
