费城鹰队跑卫Saquon Barkley表示，他从名人堂跑卫Barry Sanders身上获得启发，对方无私的精神和对队友的关怀给他留下深刻印象[1]。在2024赛季，Barkley凭借出色表现获得AP NFL年度进攻最佳球员奖[1]，并随鹰队赢得超级碗[1]。他在常规赛加季后赛中共得2504码，创造了NFL记录[1]。
Barkley在最后一场常规赛选择坐在板凳上，尽管他当时还差101码就能打破Eric Dickerson的单赛季冲卡纪录[1]。他强调了团队至上的重要性，表示："我不认为作为好队友应该获得表扬。我认为我所做的或所说的都不是什么特殊的事，至少不应该是。这应该成为常态。"[1]
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley credits Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as a key influence on his approach to team play, citing Sanders' selfless spirit and dedication to his teammates as exemplary [1]. During the 2024 season, Barkley exemplified this philosophy himself, earning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors while helping the Eagles win the Super Bowl [1]. His outstanding performance included becoming one of nine players to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, and he amassed 2,504 combined rushing yards across the regular season and playoffs—an NFL record [1].
Barkley's commitment to team-first priorities became evident in the final regular season game, when he sat on the bench despite needing only 101 more yards to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record [1]. Reflecting on his philosophy, Barkley stated, "I don't think you should get flowers for being a great teammate. I don't think anything that I've done or that I said is rare. At least it shouldn't be rare. It should be the norm" [1]. His willingness to prioritize team goals over individual accolades underscores the influence Sanders' legacy has had on how he conducts himself as a professional [1].