Philadelphia Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley broke the internet with a perfect recreation of his iconic “reverse hurdle” play that was used for the cover of Madden 26.
On Monday, EA Sports announced that the reigning Offensive Player of the Year will grace the cover for Madden 26. The game developers decided to use a shot of Barkley’s reverse hurdle that he performed in last season’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars:
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no
The cover of #Madden26: pic.twitter.com/PAfgIO9RZ5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2025
With the help of wires, Saquon Barkley was asked to recreate the reverse hurdle for the Madden cover shoot. Here are two videos showing a behind-the-scenes look at the jaw-dropping stunt:
Saquon hit his iconic reverse hurdle for the Madden cover 🤯
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 2, 2025
(via @saquon, @NFL, @EAMaddenNFL, @ari_fararooy) pic.twitter.com/yjfpfsfNvv
OK … as ridiculous of an athlete as @saquon is, his levitating in midair looked un-human. Turns out he had some help.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 2, 2025
(Not sure recreating the backwards hurdle on a soundstage would’ve been real wise anyway,) pic.twitter.com/bYx8XAtjaC
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Football fans had plenty of epic reactions to the video of Barkley perfectly recreating the highlight reel play for EA Sports:
“Did he float????,” one fan asked.
Did he float???? pic.twitter.com/qFGwFkOttp
— 𝕂𝕖𝕟𝕪𝕒𝕟𝟚𝟛 (@AlwayzHIM8_) June 2, 2025
“Bro hung in mid air for like 5 seconds 😭,” wrote another.
Bro hung in mid air for like 5 seconds 😭
— 𝕵𝖔𝖓🔥 (@heatjon) June 2, 2025
“Madden better include this hurdle as an animation in the game 👀,” said a fan.
Saquon is electric ⚡️
— Julez (@mj_italia_) June 2, 2025
Madden better include this hurdle as an animation in the game 👀
“Imagine being the tackler not the way he wanted to make the cover of Madden 😭,” a user wrote.
Imagine being the tackler not the way he wanted to make the cover of Madden 😭
— Elon's Musk (@andItoldyaso) June 2, 2025
“What kind of sorcery is this? asked a fan.
What kind of sorcery is this?
— Blake (@BlakeC) June 2, 2025
“This is going to be in his HOF ceremony. One of the most athletic plays ever made in the NFL, wild,” asked another.
This is going to be in his HOF ceremony. One of the most athletic plays ever made in the NFL, wild.
— BoBennett (@BoBennettREAL) June 2, 2025
The EA Sports Madden video game series usually has a quarterback on the cover. But the latest installment marks the second consecutive year where they chose a running back, with San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey gracing the cover last year.
Saquon Barkley & Eagles Begin Super Bowl Defense vs. Cowboys
Barkley and the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will look to kick off the 2025 season on a high note when they play host to the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 4.
