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Saquon Barkley made headlines for the wrong reasons on Monday night during a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.
The running back’s crucial drop late in the fourth quarter potentially cost his team a win.
That miscue came on a third-down try with about two minutes left in the action. Needing just three yards to move the chains, QB Jalen Hurts attempted to find Barkley in the flat on a short pass.
The play was there. The execution wasn’t.
Saquon Barkley has 16 drops since the 2021 season.
No other NFL running back has more.
A costly one tonight in Philly. pic.twitter.com/oacjBr3wFa
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) September 17, 2024
The ball tipped off Saquon Barkley’s fingertips and fell harmlessly to the ground. The Eagles settled for a field goal before watching the Falcons march down the field for a game-winning touchdown.
Philadelphia lost at home, 22-21.
Barkley spoke disappointedly to reporters after the fact. It doesn’t seem he’s willing to do so Tuesday morning.
The running back has bailed on a pair of notable media appearances with little notice.
He was scheduled for an interview with the Dan Patrick Show at 9:20 AM, but called to let them know he wouldn’t be available.
I’ve been doing this a while. This morning was a new one.
We had Saquon Barkley booked for 9:20am today. It was an interview/sponsor deal. Very common.
It’s happened before that a guest is booked and then unbooked after a loss.
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) September 17, 2024
The show says that Barkley did contact them through both an agent and directly to inform them of the no-show.
“He/the sponsor didn’t think this morning was the day to do this after the events of last night,” Paul Pabst said. “Right before showtime, Saquon reached out directly… to apologize and say he will make it up to us.
“Usually, a PR person does this. I can’t remember, ever, an athlete reaching out on his own to us in this manner. Says a lot about him.”
It was only the first no-show of the day, though.
Saquon Barkley later bailed on his appearance with Good Morning Football.
It’s a tough look following a tough night for Barkley and the Eagles. He says he plans to make up the absences with the shows at a later date.