Barkley seemingly took a shot at the Giants in a commercial
New York Giants co-owner John Mara joked Monday he was upset with Saquon Barkley over the commercial he did, which seemingly took a shot at the end of his tenure with the team.
Mara famously said during an episode of "Hard Knocks" earlier this year he would have trouble sleeping if Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. Sure enough, Barkley signed with the Eagles and helped them to an NFC East title.
John Mara stands on the sidelines during pregame of a game between the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Barkley’s commercial aired last weekend, and Mara talked about it after he announced the team would retain general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for the 2025 season.
"I called him before the game and told him I was very upset with him based on our relationship of so many years. He said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said at least you could’ve done was ask me to be in the commercial with you," Mara said.
"I said I coulda been tossing and turning. I said there is an acting gene in our family. It’s not just my nieces."
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley looks on before a game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
Mara is the uncle of actresses Rooney and Kata Mara.
John Mara called Saquon Barkley and jokingly said he was "very upset" with the commercial that Barkley did, as he wanted to be featured:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2025
"There is an acting gene in our family, it's not just my nieces" pic.twitter.com/6V9JgmSjkh
Barkley’s commercial for Unisom was released on Thursday.
"I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby," Barkley said in the ad. "Rockabye baby, awake in your bed, as the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head. It sure is tough to lose sleep over football – not for me, though. Good night to you all."
Barkley finished 101 yards short of the single-season rushing yards record.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, #26, is congratulated by offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, #68, after Barkley rushed for a long run to put him over 2,000 yards for the season during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia will play the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
