WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — The love that embraced Saquon Barkley on Friday night came from a time and place long before his first name became nationally known.
It came before Penn State glory and a Super Bowl title.
It came before the iconic backward hurdle, 2,000 yards rushing in a season, incredible riches, TV commercials, a forthcoming documentary by legendary director Martin Scorsese and before a Wawa sandwich that now bears his name.
On Friday, they packed Zephyr Stadium to watch Barkley — one of their own — be inducted into the school’s hall of fame.
Adoring fans filled the bleachers and ringed the fence around the field. They raised signs of love and support and thanks.
“These people love him. But they loved him when he was just Saquon from Whitehall. They’re family; blood isn’t all that makes you family.”Tonya Johnson, Saquon Barkley's mother
They wore his No. 21 Whitehall jersey and his No. 26 jerseys from Penn State and the Philadelphia Eagles.
They wore their love on their sleeves.
Wearing a black T-shirt, diamond-studded religious cross on a silver chain, dark wind pants and sneakers, Barkley, 28, stood at the podium at midfield and offered a few words of thanks to Whitehall the school and Whitehall the township.
He spoke so softly it was difficult to discern what he was saying; the love, however, came through loud and clear.
Later, Barkley was asked his feelings while watching highlights from his Whitehall football playing career on a large video screen.
“This was amazing,” he said. “I love being back and am grateful for the opportunity to be in the Hall of Fame. But I’m still upset I didn’t get to bring a state championship to Whitehall.
“But I know the blessings I have and don’t get caught up in all the nonsense. I’m just grateful to be able to play this game I started playing as a little kid.”
'These people love him'
Barkley was presented with a golden trophy with the word Zephyrs — the name of Whitehall High School sports teams.
Moments earlier, Barkley’s mother, Tonya Johnson, scanned the crowd and felt the love.
“I’m very happy for Saquon,” she said. “These people love him. But they loved him when he was just Saquon from Whitehall. They’re family; blood isn’t all that makes you family.”
Barkley, Whitehall graduating class of 2015, ran his way into the school’s hall of fame. He rushed for 3,464 yards and scored 63 touchdowns, both school records, in his career.
As a senior, he blazed for 1,856 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Barkley’s success earned him the honor as co-winner of the annual Mr. Pennsylvania Football Award as the state’s top player in Class AAA/AAAA.
In addition to his prowess on the gridiron, Barkley also excelled in track and field.
He won Eastern Pennsylvania Conference gold medals in both the 100-meters (11.15 seconds) and the long jump (22 feet, 2 1/2 inches) at the District XI Championships, where he placed second in the 100 meters (10.90), a school record.
Barkley also played basketball for the Zephyrs.
Whitehall retired Barkley’s jersey No. 21 in 2021. Retired NFL players Matt Millen and Dan Koppen also had their Whitehall uniform numbers retired. Their replica jerseys are affixed to the outside of the stadium field house.
'He's one of us'
Wearing his son’s replica Whitehall jersey, Alibay Barkley stood beside him as he was inducted. He called the celebration “joyful and meaningful.”
“He worked hard for this,” Alibay Barkley said. “We’re so grateful. We have blessings upon blessings.
“Know what I heard a lot tonight? People saying, ‘We like him because he’s one of us.’ That’s what he means to these people.”Alibay Barkley, Saquon Barkley's father
“Know what I heard a lot tonight? People saying, ‘We like him because he’s one of us.’ That’s what he means to these people.”
The 2025 Whitehall Hall of Fame class induction was held Jan. 17 at a Zephyrs’ basketball game.
However, Barkley was unable to attend because the Eagles were preparing to host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game two days later.
Barkley joins fellow inductees: 2011 graduate and volleyball star Maggie (Deichmeister) Fisher, 2011 graduate and track and field and cross-country standout Matt Kacyon, 2011 graduate and track and field star Danielle Smith and the 2012 girls soccer team that was the PIAA state runner-up.
Miriam Roy is a Barkley fan. She wore his Eagles midnight green jersey to the induction, just as she had to the Eagles’ season-opening victory over the Cowboys on Thursday night.
“I had to do a wash early this morning,” she said. “I wanted [the jersey] fresh for tonight.
“But I don’t only like Saquon for being a great player. He’s a great person. He still cares about people in Whitehall and other nearby towns that need help.”
'A gift'
Through Barkley's Michael Ann (his grandmother’s name) & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, he gives his time and resources to help underserved youths, schools and community organizations in Whitehall and the Lehigh Valley.
Barkley funds turkey drives and coat drives, supports area homeless shelters, provides winter coats for children at a charter school and buys and fills school backpacks for children.
Barkley has joined St. Luke's University Health Network and its AthLife Foundation to support student-athletes in the Lehigh Valley, to improve academic achievement and prepare students for success after high school.
The name Saquon is thought to have African and American origins, with the African root implying “to be strong” or possibly “warrior.”
The American root suggests it translates to “a gift.”
Saquon Barkley is not a Whitehall native; his family moved from The Bronx, New York, when he was 4.
But he is viewed as much a native son as if he were born in the shadow of the Whitehall Diner.
He has been a tremendous athlete and civic minded philanthropist.
He has been a gift.
