New York Giants co-owner John Mara joked Monday that he was upset with Saquon Barkley for the commercial he did, which he apparently got a chance at the end of his tenure with the team.
Mara said during an episode of “Hard Knocks” earlier this year that 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.
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John Mara stands on the sidelines during pregame play between the New York Giants and the 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 spoke about it after he announced the team would hire 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 angry with him because of our long-standing relationship. He said, ‘What do you mean?’ “I said you could have at least asked me to be in the commercial with you,” Mara said.
“I said I could have been going around and around. I said there’s an acting gene in our family. It’s not just my nieces.”
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley watches before a game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Jan. 5, 2025. (Images by Bill Streicher-Imagn)
Mara is the uncle of actresses Rooney and Kata Mara.
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 announcement. “Rockabye baby, wake up in your bed, while the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head. It sure is hard to lose sleep over football, just not for me. Good night everyone.”
Barkley finished 101 yards shy of the single-season rushing yards record.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, #26, is congratulated by offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, #68, after Barkley ran for a long run to surpass 2,000 yards for the season during the second half of a game. NFL football, Sunday Dec. January 29, 2024 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia will play the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.
