Eagles Star Wins Best Play and Best NFL Player at ESPYs — Redemption Complete

PHILADELPHIA, PA – July 18, 2025

The lights were bright. The applause thundered. And when his name was called—twice—the NFL world felt something bigger than just awards. It felt justice.

At the 2025 ESPY Awards, Saquon Barkley walked away with two of the night’s biggest honors: Best Play and Best NFL Player. A rare double win. A loud answer to years of doubt. And maybe—just maybe—the start of something greater in Philadelphia.

There was a time not long ago when Barkley’s career felt like a question mark. A torn ACL. A stagnant offense. A contract standoff. A silent locker room exit in New York. The league whispered: He’s done. But Barkley didn’t listen. Instead, he found a new home in midnight green—and the fire returned.

The Best Play award? It wasn’t just a highlight. It was a statement. A 68-yard touchdown run against Dallas that started with a spin move so violent, it broke ankles and broke Twitter. It wasn’t just speed. It was poetry. One man against a wall of defenders, refusing to be stopped. Eagles fans didn’t just cheer—they believed. Because that play was more than yards. It was redemption in real time.

But Best NFL Player? That hit different. Not just for Barkley, but for everyone who’s ever been told they peaked too early. He didn’t lead the league in rushing. He didn’t chase numbers. He chased moments. He chased meaning. And this season, he gave Philadelphia both.

"I was written off. I never stopped writing. Philly gave me a pen," Barkley said, voice cracking as he held the second trophy. "This isn’t just for me. It’s for every player who got told their best days were behind them."

In a room full of stars, Saquon reminded us that greatness isn’t always loud or linear. Sometimes it limps. Sometimes it waits. And then, when the lights hit just right—it roars back.

Social media erupted. Eagles fans hailed him as the “soul of the offense.” Even Giants fans—grudgingly—had to admit it: Barkley has never looked more dangerous. More determined.

And yet, as the confetti settles, Barkley made it clear: this isn’t the final chapter. The individual awards are nice. But he came to Philly for one thing.

A ring.

Stay tuned to ESPN.