LeBron James’ unique connection to iconic Saquon Barkley moment gives Eagles fans another reason to love the 76ers move
Philadelphia Eagles fans who are also 76ers fans are in celebration mode following the latest LeBron James news. And they already have a reason to like him that has everything to do with Saquon Barkley.
LeBron James is officially a Philadelphia 76er. The biggest news in sports on Friday confirmed what reports from Shams Charania revealed earlier in the day: James is headed to Philadelphia on a 2-year, $8 million deal with a player option.
For Eagles fans who double as 76ers fans, there’s already a reason to embrace the all-time great. LeBron has a genuine, geeked-out connection to one of the most iconic plays in recent Eagles history, and it involves running back Saquon Barkley.
The play that caught LeBron’s eye
On Nov. 3, 2024, in a 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Barkley produced a moment for the ages. In the second quarter, he caught the ball, spun past one defender, and leaped backwards over Jaguars cornerback Dariun Jones for the first down. The play became the poster image of a remarkable season. It landed Barkley on the Madden cover and served as the signature highlight of a 2,005-yard rushing campaign.
Here’s the thing about that play: Barkley was wearing the Nike LeBron Retro 4 shoes in the metallic silver colorway. LeBron noticed immediately. Right after the play, he took to Instagram Stories and posted a picture with the caption “Saquon, you are insane. Must be the shoes.”
Was he promoting his own brand? Of course. But the reaction was genuine. And coming from a 41-year-old who sits in a greatest-of-all-time debate with only Michael Jordan, it’s awesome to see.
In March 2025, James was still thinking about it. He appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and brought the play up again — months later, still talking about Barkley wearing his kicks and how he went crazy watching it.
“When Saquon did that move where he turned backwards and did a pirouette backwards and jumped in the air, he had my kicks on, I was like ‘Oh my goodness,” LeBron said back then. “He had the LeBron Retro 4s on in a spike. [. . .] I was going crazy.”
That 199-yard, 2-touchdown performance against Jacksonville was part of a season in which Barkley led the league in rushing, scored 13 touchdowns on the ground, and added 278 receiving yards with 2 more scores through the air. The totals earned him All-Pro honors, Offensive Player of the Year, and a third-place finish in MVP voting.
Why it matters for Eagles fans
Eagles fans are diehard. They want the athletes they root for to match their intensity. LeBron entering the Philadelphia picture with an organic connection to one of the most iconic plays of the Saquon Barkley era gives 76ers fans something to latch onto before he ever steps on the court. The deal is a 2-year, $8 million contract with a player option.
If you were looking for a reason to already be a fan of LeBron James in Philly, well, you got it.
And to make things even better, LeBron sent a message to the fans on social media shortly after the news broke, admitting he was leaning toward retirement before going for one more season:
“This is my last decision,” wrote James as part of a larger message on X. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”