Jason Kelce calls out Giants fans hating on Saquon Barkley, pushes for blame game directed at owners John Mara, Steve Tisch
Saquon Barkley returned to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. A stadium that was once his home is now enemy territory after his departure from the New York Giants led to him joining the Philadelphia Eagles.
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce voiced his support for the 27-year-old running back. Kelce re-shared a post on X that showed a photo of a Giants fan adding an expletive to their Barkley jersey. He questioned why New York fans were unhappy with the running back more than they were with the organization for failing to re-sign him.
"For the life of me, I don’t understand why Giants fans hate Saquon for what happened, and not the Giants organization for the fact he is an Eagle," Kelce wrote on X.
"They have absolutely no one to blame other than the Giants ownership and management decisions for why he is no longer a Giant. Obviously understand their hate of the Eagles, and desire for him not to succeed, just very odd this energy is directed at him more so than the organization."
The Super Bowl-winning center then replied to another fan who supported Giants fans' jeers towards the running back. Jason Kelce said the Giants had multiple opportunities to extend him to a long-term, lucrative contract yet failed to do so.
"Please explain the nuances to me, Seems pretty simple. Giants had multiple opportunities to pay him and each time declined to do so. I get people are mad he’s with the Eagles, but I don’t understand how this isn’t pretty much all on the Giants organization," Kelce replied.
Giants fans welcomed Saquon Barkley back with 'boos'
Saquon Barkley was asked earlier in the week if he expected Giants fans to boo him. The Philadelphia Eagles running back, who spent six seasons with New York after being drafted second overall, didn't think he would.
"I don't expect a great reaction. I don't expect to be booed. I look at it like this: The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Football Giants probably played in over 200 games. This rivalry was there before me, and it's going to be there after me," Saquon Barkley told reporters earlier in the week
Saquon Barkley however, did receive an unfriendly welcome in his return to MetLife Stadium. As the Eagles offense took the field for the first time in the first quarter of Sunday's matchup, a packed stadium 'booed' the running back.
The running back was unphased by the jeers and prepared for the play with his team.