‘Saquon: Diary of a Running Back’
By Maurice Williams
Saquon Barkely. He is either seen as your team’s savior, that you watch every Sunday and cheer your heart out for, or he is seen as a villain—someone despised by entire cities. He is the force that comes into your town and runs circles around your team’s defense, putting up highlight after highlight. However, whether he is the hero or villain in your story, Saquon Barkely is more than just a running back. He is a father, a son, a husband, a man.
Despite the cheers and jeers from the millions that tune in to watch him week in and week out, he is still simply just a man. That is the goal of Saquon, the documentary—examining the early career and life off the field of NFL running back Saquon Barkely. This story is not one focused on his countless accolades and spectacular plays; no this is a true look into the life of a young man with the weight of the world on his shoulders who is trying to figure out life as an adult while also managing being at the pinnacle of his sport.
The Man Beyond the Uniform
This documentary does a stellar job in allowing Saquon to open up about the struggles of being an NFL running back. More so than in any other sport, football players—due to constantly having their identities mostly covered by their equipment—are looked at by fans as if they are not human but just machines sent out to play for their entertainment. However, it takes you beyond the field to show the realities players face everyday, from Saquon’s struggles to make it back to the field after a brutal injury to battling viewers for ownership over your public identity.
The contract negotiations between himself and the New York Giants is an even more fascinating watch. Seeing Saquon fight so hard to just feel like he is appreciated by the organization is almost heartbreaking. He truly expresses how much he loved New York and just simply wanted to feel like the love was reciprocated. In the end, he was hurt having to leave despite knowing it was what was best for him and his family. This speaks volumes to the kind of man Saquon really is.
Saquon is a must watch for all NFL fans. If you have ever wanted to know what it is like to be a professional athlete, if you ever wondered what life off the field looks like for the greats, this is the best documentary for you. It takes you on a journey alongside Saquon Barkley the man, not just Saquon Barkley the NFL player.
Saquon was released Thursday, October 9, on Amazon Prime Video and is available to stream now on the platform. This 1hr41min documentary will change the way you see athletes—see the man beyond the uniform.