Saquon ‘so happy’ 1st game vs. Giants is over

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley enjoyed a signature performance versus his former club Sunday, but he’s even happier that his first matchup against the New York Giants is done.

“I’m so happy this game is over,” Barkley said. “I don’t think I should get, besides today, any more questions about the Giants, but like I’ve always said, I’m thankful for the organization. They’re the team that drafted me. I’ve still got nothing but love and respect for the guys over there. I’m happy to be an Eagle, and, most importantly, we got a win today in the division.”

Barkley rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Sunday’s 28-3 win in the Meadowlands. He also averaged 10.4 yards per carry.

The 28-year-old spent the first six seasons of his career with the Giants after they drafted him second overall in 2018. He inked a three-year, $37.75-million contract with the Eagles this offseason after New York didn’t attempt to re-sign the star tailback.

Barkley was greeted by a chorus of boos throughout most of Sunday’s game. He called the heckling a “compliment at the end of the day.”

“It’s hard not to hear that,” Barkley said. “I didn’t help myself when I said I didn’t think I was going to get booed. But they’re booing for a reason.”

The vitriol hit another level as some Giants fans opted to burn Barkley’s jersey in the parking lot.

“That was crazy,” he said. “I’ve seen my jersey get burned before on social media, but the timing of it. I’m locked in, I’m listening to my music, and I see the fans, and all I see is fans just pointing, and I look and I’m like, ‘What are they pointing at?’ I see smoke, and I’m just like, ‘Where’s my jersey at?’ That was definitely different.”

The Penn State product recorded 7,311 scrimmage yards and 47 total touchdowns during his New York tenure.