Saquon Barkley Reveals His Two Favorite Athletes of All Time

Barkley's Two GOATs: Kobe and Sanders!

NFL star names his childhood inspirations

Saquon Barkley is riding high after a record-breaking season with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to their second Super Bowl victory. But before he was hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, Barkley looked up to legendary athletes who inspired him.

Recently, "SportsCenter" asked prominent athletes about their childhood idols, and Barkley took to Instagram to reveal his picks. Unlike many who named just one, Barkley chose two icons from different sports: basketball legend Kobe Bryant and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.

"[Kobe] and [Barry Sanders]!!" he wrote in response.

Barkley has often spoken about the influence of Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality," stating that it represents a constant pursuit of self-improvement, not just on game day but every single day.

"Just trying to adapt to that mindset, adapt to that mentality,” Barkley said during the last season. “I don’t think of the Mamba Mentality as [just] this dog, this killer—and it is—but the definition is a constant quest to be the best version of yourself. It’s every day. It’s not like I go out there and break an 80-yard touchdown against the Rams, and that’s my Mamba moment. But in reality, that didn’t just happen, either. It’s the process. The work you put in."

** Barkley's NFL Stardom:**

From his breakout days with the New York Giants to his dominant season with the Eagles in 2024, Barkley has consistently proven himself as one of the league's top running backs. His incredible performance last year saw him rack up 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on a staggering 345 carries, averaging a remarkable 5.8 yards per attempt.

Now entering his eighth NFL season, Barkley has signed a two-year extension with the Eagles, ensuring he'll continue to lead their charge for another championship in 2026 and beyond.