Star running back Saquon Barkley defended Philadelphia Eagle fans as they came under intense national scrutiny after a video of him assaulting a woman went viral.
The Eagles are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Rams in a regional playoff game on Sunday, and Rams player Jared Verse expressed his hatred for Eagles fans in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Vaas’ comments come days after Eagles fan Ryan Caldwell was fired after a video of him insulting a female Green Bay Packers fan during last Sunday’s playoff game went viral.
“I hate Eagles fans,” Vaas said. “They’re so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”
Barkley was asked by reporters about Verse’s comments before the game and suggested the Rams rookie’s decision to make those comments was “unwise.”
“If you’re coming to Philadelphia, that’s probably not a wise thing to say,” Barkley told reporters Friday.
Barkley cited his experience coming to play in Philadelphia as an opponent when he was with the New York Giants from 2018 to 2023.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, 26, walks out of the tunnel for the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher Iman Images)
“I’ve been on the other side. I’ve been feeling certain emotions,” Barkley said. “I probably won’t give them any additional fuel.”
Barkley expects Vaas to receive a particularly rude greeting when he enters the game on Sunday.
“I’m sure Philadelphia fans saw that comment, and it’s going to be something that’s already going to be loud and shaking, so it’s just going to get even louder,” Barkley said.
Eagles defensive back Darius Slay also weighed in on Verse’s comments, warning that fans could throw snowballs when it snows.
“He’s not the first to hate Eagles fans. There are a lot of people who hate Eagles fans. Some people who played for the Eagles hate Eagles fans,” Slay told Hrydat. . “That comes with the sport.
“I think Eagles fans are just so fired up. They don’t need to say anything else. And if it’s snowing, I wouldn’t be surprised if they threw snowballs on the sideline.”
Verse is just one of the critics who got slammed by Eagles fans after Caldwell’s video went viral. Vaas said he could hear the jeers of Eagles fans even with his headphones on, even though the game was in Los Angeles.
“It’s not like I didn’t do anything to them. It was my first time playing. Man, I hate Eagles fans,” Vaas said.
The Eagles won that game 37-20, and Barkley went on a rampage, accumulating 302 scrimmage yards, including 255 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, 26, is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (right) during the first half. (Alex Gallardo Iman Images)
Meanwhile, Caldwell was fired from his job as a project manager at BCT Partners after a video insulting him went viral. He apologized but defended himself, insisting his actions were “not unprovoked” and that the viral video “does not show the full picture” of what happened.
“Last Sunday, while I was at an NFL game to cheer on my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, something that I deeply regret happened happened,” Caldwell said in a statement.
“An incident that started as a joke with two Packers fans sitting near me escalated into something more serious and I ended up saying something that is unacceptable. Among them, he had harsh words for one of his fans, Ms. Allie Keller.
“For those words, I would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Keller, his wife, family, friends, former employers and co-workers, Packer fans, Eagle fans, the Philadelphia Eagles, the city of Philadelphia, and everyone I offended.” No, there are two sides to every story.
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Ryan Caldwell has been identified as the fan who hurled profanity at Packers fans. (X/@Basaraski)
“The video clips circulating online do not fully reflect what happened, and my actions were not without provocation. I intend to live with this experience and know that I made no mistake. For those who don’t know me, this incident does not reflect my values or respect for others and is indicative of who I am as a person. It’s not even a thing.”
The viral video was filmed by Keller’s fiance, Alexander Basara, and went viral on the internet days after the Eagles’ 22-10 win.
News of Caldwell’s apology and firing sparked a wave of celebration and ridicule by sports fans on social media.
Eagles fans have a long history of unruly behavior.
Veterans Stadium, the franchise’s former home, had an on-site justice court and cells to deal with fans who broke the law.
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