Saquon Barkley is widely regarded as one of the premier running backs in the NFL and is poised to be a critical offensive asset for the Philadelphia Eagles in the upcoming Super Bowl. However, even the star running back had to navigate the lighter side of professional football as a rookie, enduring pranks from teammates, including the notable Eli Manning during their time with the New York Giants.

In a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce, Manning reminisced about the playful tradition of rookie hazing. During the discussion, Jason Kelce inquired about a prank Manning had executed on Barkley. Manning humorously confirmed a particular incident where, according to Barkley, his 'welcome to the NFL moment' involved Manning playfully shoving grass in his mouth. Manning elaborated on his prank methodology, stating that he often asked rookies if they had undergone wisdom teeth removal, then requested to see their mouths. At this point, he would toss a clump of grass and dirt into their open mouths, a joke that remarkably caught several first-year players off guard during their initial practice.

Barkley, who played alongside Manning during the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Giants, marked his entrance into the NFL by claiming the Offensive Rookie of the Year title in 2018. His impressive statistics, totaling 2,028 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns that season, signaled his arrival as a formidable force in professional football. Reflecting on these moments, one might ponder whether a comedic initiation involving grass and dirt might become a rite of passage for future rookies entering the league.