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Tim McManus
PHILADELPHIA — While you make online game strikes, you get the online game cowl.
Philadelphia Eagles working again Saquon Barkley and his legendary reverse hurdle will probably be featured on the duvet of Madden NFL 26, EA Sports activities introduced Monday.
Barkley additionally has been named to the Madden 99 Membership — a primary for an Eagles offensive participant.
“Starring on the duvet of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL ’99 Membership’ are each desires come true,” Barkley mentioned. “I am grateful to my teammates, coaches and Eagles followers for his or her help, and I am unable to wait to hit the sphere once more to offer Madden gamers extra highlight-reel moments in Madden NFL 26.”
Barkley, the reigning Related Press Offensive Participant of the Yr, is coming off the most effective seasons for a working again in NFL historical past. He rushed for two,504 yards over the common season and the postseason, breaking the single-season file.
He had an opportunity to take down Eric Dickerson’s regular-season speeding title as nicely however completed 101 yards shy because the Eagles determined to relaxation their starters within the finale towards Barkley’s former group, the New York Giants, so that they could possibly be as wholesome as potential coming into the postseason.
The calculation paid off, as Barkley rushed for 499 yards and 5 touchdowns within the playoffs to assist Philadelphia seize its second Lombardi Trophy.
Barkley’s season was stuffed with highlight-reel performs, however the one which stands out above all was the modern reverse hurdle he pulled off in early November towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the Eagles dealing with a third-and-6 early within the second quarter, Barkley took a go from Jalen Hurts within the flat, broke a sort out and put a spin transfer on Devin Lloyd that had Lloyd greedy at air as he fell to the bottom. Barkley was simply getting warmed up. He then stepped so his again was to cornerback Jarrian Jones, elevated and blindly leapfrogged Jones for an additional 5 yards on what turned out to be a 14-yard achieve.
“Saquon’s reverse hurdle was one of many uncommon, defining moments in NFL historical past that might have as soon as been described as ‘one thing out of a online game,'” mentioned Evan Dexter, vice chairman of franchise technique and advertising for EA Sports activities Madden NFL. “Now, it is a show of the athleticism and creativity of one among soccer’s most electrifying athletes. Madden NFL 26 will ship essentially the most actual NFL expertise we have ever constructed in order that gamers can expertise extra of the unreal moments that Saquon placed on show all season lengthy. The complete reveal is that this Wednesday — do not miss what’s subsequent.”
After that feat, it is no shock that Barkley’s rankings for spin transfer, juke, agility and alter of route are all tops in Madden NFL 26.
Barkley is the Eagles’ first Madden 99 Membership member in 20 years. He joins security Brian Dawkins (Madden 04) and kicker David Akers (Madden 06).
