Many athletes have special pregame rituals that they have to partake in prior to stepping into the game. For Philadelphia Eagles‘ Saquon Barkley, it is a handshake.
Before facing off against the Washington Commanders on January 26, the 27-year-old running back shared a special handshake with his 6-year-old daughter, Jada.
In an adorable video shared on the X account , Barkley’s daughter, 6, his son, Saquon Jr., 2, and girlfriend Anna Congdon, can be seen approaching the sidelines, walking towards the 27-year-old. Barkley asks his daughter to, “gimme a handshake,” and the pair begin an intricate sequenced handshake, complete with kisses and a peace sign.
Barkley proceeds to hug his daughter who says, “Love you, daddy!” Barkley then proceeds to put his face up to Saquon Jr.’s and then give his girlfriend a kiss.
It appears as if this pregame ritual brought just the right amount of luck to Barkley and his team. The Eagles went on to win against the Commanders, clinching a spot in Super Bowl LIX.
Barkley has always made it clear that his children come first. Prior to the birth of Shaquon Jr., Barkley told NJ Advance Media, that even though he loves football, he considers his daughter in every decision that he makes.
“Obviously I do it for myself because I love the game, I love competing and I want to go down as one of the best [in NFL history], but I go out there and sacrifice my body every single day for my daughter,” he said. “It’s not just football … Every business decision I make, every investment, every marketing deal, all have to come with the mindset of my daughter being first.”
Barkley went on to say in another interview in 2022 that Shaquon Jr., “… lights up the room [and has an] amazing smile.”
Make sure to tune-in and see if you can spot the pregame handshake between father and daughter as the Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.
