Saquon Barkley Meets 17-Year-Old Superfan Whose Rare Bone Cancer Has Spread

Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles made a young fan’s dream come true.

Before the Eagles played the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 23, Barkley, 28, met Nate, a 17-year-old “superfan” from Austin, Texas who has a rare form of bone cancer.

Barkley met Nate, who lost half of his pelvis to his cancer in 2022, on the sidelines before the game, where the two posed for a photo and Barkley signed autographs, as seen in a video the Eagles shared on TiKTok on Nov. 24.

Nate “fought to learn how to walk again,” the Eagles said in the video, adding, “Nate and his family have recently learned that the cancer has spread.”

“Before the game, Nate got to meet his hero in person,” the video continued over footage of Barkley and his fan meeting.

Nate said, “Thank you so much,” as Barkley signed his jersey, and the young fan told him, “I’ve been watching you since you were in college. You’re my favorite person of all time.”

After Barkley signed Nate’s jersey, the two posed for a photo on the sidelines.

Eagles fans quickly embraced Barkley in Philadelphia because of his stellar performance on the field, but the New York native has also won over football fans for his generosity and kind nature.

After the Eagles won the 2025 Super Bowl, Barkley spotted the team’s ball boy behind a barricade during their victory parade, and was captured on camera hoisting him over the barricade to join in the celebration.

Fans appreciated Barkley’s kindness and praised the Philadelphia running back in the comments. “Gotta love that guy!! Out of a million people recognized the ball boy and pulled him with the team,” one user wrote.

Another said, “This is what that Philly brotherly love is all about! What a class act.”