Just before the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the Dallas Cowboys on November 23, a heartwarming moment unfolded between running back Saquon Barkley and a young fan. Seventeen-year-old Nate, a passionate fan hailing from Austin, Texas, met his idol following a challenging medical journey.
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Nate has been bravely battling a rare form of bone cancer, which led to the removal of half his pelvis in 2022. In a touching TikTok video, the Eagles highlighted his fight to relearn how to walk. Sadly, his family recently discovered that the cancer has continued to spread.
Despite these hardships, Nate’s spirits soared when Barkley approached him on the sidelines. As Barkley autographed his jersey, Nate expressed, “I’ve been watching you since college. You’re my favorite person of all time.” Barkley took the time to chat and pose for photos with Nate before the game commenced.
Such moments contribute to Saquon’s widespread admiration, stretching beyond Philadelphia. While his on-field prowess garners attention, it’s his quiet acts of kindness that truly capture hearts. After the Eagles clinched the Super Bowl in 2025, Saquon was celebrated for reasons beyond his athletic achievements.
Saquon Barkley and Nate. Photo Credit: Philadelphia Eagles/TikTok
During the victory parade, he noticed the team’s ball boy stuck behind a barricade. Rather than ignoring the situation, he reached over to bring the young boy into the celebration. This gesture resonated with fans, showcasing the kind of person Saquon truly is.
During the victory parade, he spotted the team’s ball boy stuck behind a barricade. Instead of walking past, he reached over, grabbed him, and pulled him into the celebration. Fans loved it. This is a nod to just the kind of guy he is.
For Nate, the chance to meet Saquon carried that same energy. It gave him a lift in a year filled with doctors, treatments, and hard news. A few minutes on the sideline became a moment he’ll hold onto forever.
Shaquon shares two children with is fiance, Anna Congdon. The couple share a son, Saquon Jr. and a daughter, Jada.Â