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Saquon Barkley Reflects on Childhood Note to Mom and Surprises Her With Emotional Birthday Gift

Philadelphia, PA – September 10, 2025

"Mom, Could you wake me up at 7 a.m. and could you leave me a couple dollars? Keep this paper, Imma be a star."

The handwriting was crooked, the words simple, but the message was clear. At just 12 years old, Saquon Barkley wrote that note to his mother before a youth football practice — asking to be woken up early, to be given a couple of dollars for a drink, but most of all declaring his belief that one day he would be a star.

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That scrap of paper, taped to a bedroom wall and tucked away over the years, became more than just a childhood reminder. It was a prophecy. Through relentless work, discipline, and belief, Barkley went from the playgrounds of Pennsylvania to the bright lights of the NFL, now considered one of the league’s most dynamic running backs.

This week, Barkley shared the memory publicly for the first time and paired it with an emotional surprise for his mother’s birthday. Instead of just retelling the story, he honored her sacrifices by presenting her with a gift that left the entire family in tears.

"Everything I am today started with her," Barkley said. "She woke me up, pushed me, and believed in me before anyone else did. That note wasn’t just for me — it was for her. Now I get to give back and show her that those words came true."

For Eagles fans, the moment was more than just a feel-good story. It was another window into the character of their new star running back. Behind the highlight runs and big plays, Barkley remains the same kid who once scribbled a promise to his mom, carrying her love and his dream all the way to NFL stardom.

And this time, the gift wasn’t a few dollars for practice — it was a celebration of everything his mother did to make sure that note became reality.

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