Saquon Barkley wasn’t shy about doing nude pullups and tire-flips for ESPN’s Body Issue, which the network unveiled Monday. In fact, the former Whitehall High and Penn State running back said the opportunity “means everything.”
“I strongly believe that your body is your temple,” Barkley told ESPN The Magazine. “I’m very confident in my body and I love my body, because I worked so hard on it.”
Barkley is among 16 athletes appearing in the 10th anniversary issue, which ESPN says is meant to “celebrate the athletic form.” The New York Giants rookie running back is the only current NFL player to appear.
According to photo credits from ESPN, the shoot took place in Los Angeles in late March, less than a week after his hometown of Coplay held Saquon Barkley Day.
In several interviews accompanying the piece, Barkley discusses how he began weight-training more seriously following his sophomore year at Whitehall High School. He also discussed becoming a viral star in Penn State’s weight room, where he holds multiple program records.
“I kind of felt like I was under-recruited [out of Whitehall] and I wasn’t getting the recognition of other guys, and I felt like I was one of the best in my draft class. …,” Barkley told the magazine. “The thing I put in my head right now is myself. Competing with myself. Competing with trying to be elite and trying to be the best I can.”
