Eric Dickerson’s Take on Saquon Barkley’s Record Chase
In the world of professional football, records are meant to be broken, or so the saying goes. Yet, when it comes to the NFL single-season rushing yardage record, the current holder, Eric Dickerson, isn’t exactly rooting for his record to fall. As Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley inches closer to this milestone, needing just 268 yards over the next two games, Dickerson’s stance is clear: he’s not cheering for Barkley to surpass his mark.
In a candid conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Dickerson expressed his thoughts on the matter. “I don’t think he’ll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it,” he said. “Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don’t pull no punches on that.”
Despite his reluctance to see his record broken, Dickerson isn’t bitter about the possibility. “But I’m not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That’s the way I look at it. If he’s fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it’s a great record to have.”
For context, Dickerson set the rushing record in 1984 with 2,105 yards in just 16 games. Barkley, on the other hand, is at 1,838 yards through 15 games, which puts him slightly off the record-setting pace of 2,083 yards. However, with the Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol and likely out for Week 17, the team might rely more heavily on Barkley. This could be a golden opportunity for Barkley to shine against the Dallas Cowboys and his former team, the New York Giants.
Dickerson even noted the potential poetic justice in Barkley breaking the record against the Giants. “How ironic would it be for him to break the record on them, the team that let him go,” Dickerson mused. “A true slap in the face.”
Despite his competitive spirit, Dickerson had nothing but praise for Barkley, acknowledging him as a “great player” who is “elusive, he’s tough, he runs hard.” It’s clear that while Dickerson may not want his record broken, he respects Barkley’s talent and determination.
Interestingly, Dickerson also mentioned another record he holds dear, one he believes will stand the test of time. “I’ve always said that the one that’s going to last the longest is me setting the rookie record with 1,808 [yards],” he said. “Because you only get one shot at that. You’re only a rookie once.”
- Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record: 2,105 yards in 16 games
- Saquon Barkley’s current rushing yards: 1,838 through 15 games
- Yards needed by Barkley to break the record: 268
- Upcoming opponents for Barkley: Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants
As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Barkley to see if he can achieve what many thought impossible. Whether or not he breaks the record, the chase itself has added an exciting narrative to the end of the NFL season. And while Dickerson may not be cheering for Barkley, the respect between these two great athletes is undeniable.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
