BREAKING NEWS: Saquon Barkley Joins David Akers and Brian Dawkins as Only Eagles to Ever Earn a 99 Overall in Madden History
In a moment that cements his legacy both virtually and on the gridiron, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has officially been rated a 99 overall in the upcoming release of Madden NFL 26. With this achievement, Barkley joins David Akers and Brian Dawkins as the only players in Philadelphia Eagles history to receive the game’s highest possible rating — a rare and coveted status known simply as “Club 99.”
EA Sports made the announcement via a dramatic reveal video that featured highlights of Barkley’s monstrous 2024 campaign, ending with his name being etched onto the “99 Club wall” next to other NFL greats.
The moment? Unforgettable. The reaction? Electric.
“It’s an honor,” Barkley said in a press release. “But I’m more focused on winning real games, not video ones.”
Still, the gaming world and NFL community can’t stop talking about it.
A Legacy in the Making
The Madden 99 Club is more than a rating — it’s a badge of elite status. Reserved only for players who are at the top of their position and dominating in every facet of the game, the list has included the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Donald, and Davante Adams in previous years.
Now, Barkley joins David Akers, the legendary kicker who received a 99 rating in Madden 06, and Brian Dawkins, the Hall of Fame safety whose 99 rating in Madden 2005 became the stuff of legend.
“I remember being a kid and playing as Dawkins in Madden,” Barkley said in a brief interview. “To be in the same conversation as him? That’s unreal.”
The 2024 Season That Made It Happen
The honor comes on the heels of a career-defining 2024 season in which Barkley silenced all doubters. After signing a major free-agent deal with the Eagles in 2024, many questioned whether the former Penn State star still had the explosiveness that made him a household name in New York.
He answered with authority.
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1,876 rushing yards (2nd in the NFL)
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18 total touchdowns
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6.2 yards per carry
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540 receiving yards
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Countless broken tackles and highlight runs
He was named First-Team All-Pro, selected to the Pro Bowl, and led the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game, where he rushed for 148 yards in a win over the 49ers.
“Saquon wasn’t just great — he was unstoppable,” said Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. “This recognition is well-deserved, and I’m glad the world sees what we already know in Philly.”
The 99 Club Reaction
As news of the 99 rating spread, reactions poured in across social media:
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Brian Dawkins reposted the announcement with the caption: “Welcome to the wall, young king. Fly Eagles Fly.”
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Jalen Hurts, Barkley’s quarterback, tweeted: “Madden finally got one right.”
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Fans flooded Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) with excitement — and highlight clips of Barkley’s most jaw-dropping runs in midnight green.
Even EA Sports joined in the celebration, releasing a limited-time in-game “99 Club Saquon” card for Madden Ultimate Team, featuring a custom Eagles-themed background and boosted trucking, juking, and acceleration stats.
Philly Pride and Historic Company
The city of Philadelphia has long been known for its passionate fans and deep loyalty to its athletes. Barkley, a Pennsylvania native and former Penn State standout, has fit in seamlessly — but this latest milestone ties him even more tightly to the fabric of Eagles history.
“David Akers, Brian Dawkins, and now Saquon Barkley,” said sports radio host Mike Cataldi on 94WIP. “Those names echo across different eras — but they all represent excellence in the midnight green.”
What’s Next for Barkley?
While being a 99 overall in Madden is a surreal achievement, Barkley isn’t letting the moment distract him from his real mission: bringing a Super Bowl title back to Philadelphia.
“I appreciate the love,” Barkley said. “But the only number I care about right now is the one on the scoreboard come February.”
With the Eagles entering 2025 as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, Barkley’s presence — both in-game and in the locker room — could be the final piece in a championship puzzle.
Final Word
In a league filled with talent, few players ever reach the top of the Madden mountain. But Saquon Barkley — through determination, dominance, and a relentless work ethic — has not only climbed that peak, he’s planted an Eagles flag at the summit.
And in doing so, he’s made history in Philadelphia — one stiff-arm, one touchdown, and now one 99 rating at a time.
