Allentown, PA - March 9, 2025: The City of Allentown and Whitehall Township held a Honorary Celebration for Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley Sunday afternoon at the PPL Center where family, friends, and fans gathered to show him how proud they were and to honor his success.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk presented Barkley with the key to the city and proclaimed March 9, 2025 “Saquon Barkley Day.” Whitehall Township Mayor Joseph Marx Jr. spoke and presented Barkley with a proclamation. Barkley then spoke, saying: "I know I wouldn't have made it, accomplished the things I've accomplished so far in my career without the love and support from you guys, especially my Whitehall folks.”
Barkley, with his parents Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson by his side, greeted fans and attended a special VIP meet and greet after the ceremony. Several celebrity guests were in attendance including former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and his wife Diane Robinson.
The event supported Barkley’s foundation, The Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, with 50% of the proceeds from Sunday going toward the “support of assisting children, young adults, and families that have a strong desire for positive forward movement.” The foundation was created in honor of Barkley’s paternal grandmother, Michael Ann, and was “founded to support the goals of our youth to excel in academia and athletics.”
Barkley was born in Bronx, NY. In 2001, his parents moved their family to Bethlehem, PA. They eventually moved to Allentown before settling in nearby Coplay. Barkley attended Whitehall High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He graduated from Whitehall in 2015.
Barkley continued his academic and athletic career at Penn State University. In 2018, Barkley was selected by the New York Giants as the second overall pick in the NFL draft. He played six seasons for the Giants before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in March of 2024. In February 2025, Barkley was a member of the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LIX.
Barkley has two children, Saquon Jr. (3) and Jada (7), with his fiancé Anna Congdon. Barkley and Congdon met in 2016 while both were students at Penn State.
