Philadelphia Eagles running back and Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley was inducted into the Whitehall High School Hall of Fame in front of an excited, awestruck crowd during halftime of the Zephyrs’ football game against East Stroudsburg South this past Friday at Zephyr Stadium.

Whitehall athletic director Jeff Pukszyn told spectators, “We are here tonight to honor an extraordinary individual who’s left an indelible mark on Whitehall and Zephyr athletics.”

After a video presentation that highlighted Barkley’s accomplishments, former athletic director and Whitehall Hall of Fame member Bob Hartman introduced Barkley as one of the most famous athletes in the world today.

A multisport athlete in football, basketball, and track and field, Barkley, who graduated in 2015, achieved more than 3,600 yards rushing and scored 63 touchdowns during his high school career.

“On my way here, I started reflecting on my journey,” Barkley told the crowd. “There are so, so, so many people, friends, teammates, coaches, teachers, and without them, I wouldn’t be the man or person I am.”

Barkley credited his parents and family for being by his side while a student and player at Penn State University, and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni for teaching his players a valuable lesson: You can’t be great without the greatness of others.

“If it weren’t for the greatness of others, I wouldn’t be the person I am,” Barkley said. “Zephyr tough will always be a part of me. I’m still that little kid from Coplay, Pennsylvania, and I still love Whitehall.”

Barkley took time to sign autographs and take photos with cheering fans before speaking with the media.

“It’s crazy to think that I was in high school 10 years ago, but the memories just flood in. The player that I am starts here,” he said. “It means a lot to me to be able to come back and see the reactions of everyone, but most importantly, like I said in my speech, and I really mean it, I would not be the person or player I am today. They poured a lot into me.

“To have my name tied in with all the greats of Whitehall, it’s an honor to be in the Hall of Fame. Outside of making it to the NFL, this, probably, was my first goal, to be perfectly honest. I wanted to break the records. I wanted to implant my legacy here. I wanted to make it into the Hall of Fame.”

Barkley said the most important quality that got him to where he is today is the quality of Zephyr toughness, and that his best memories are those associated with playing multiple sports.

Whitehall’s newest Hall of Fame member also talked about what his supporters mean to him.

“When I’m walking around, or if I’m in a grocery store, or the fans who come to Eagles practice, you hear them saying, “Saquon, Saquon, Saquon,” and then you hear “SaSa,” and that always catches my eye. It’s cool to hear,” he said. “I don’t really see it as fans. I kind of see it as people who really appreciate what I’m doing. I represent this area, and hopefully I’m making them proud, and I want to continue to make them proud.”