The legendary Barry Sanders — arguably the best running back in NFL history — turned 51 years old on Tuesday, and in an effort to celebrate the goat’s birthday, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley pieced together a video compilation of the two side-by-side.
“Happy birthday to da [greatest of all-time] you’ve not only inspired me but your legacy transcends from generation to generation!” Barkley wrote on Instagram and Twitter.
The video includes highlights of Barkley’s rookie season and Sanders’ 10-year career, and the resemblance is uncanny.
Barkley and Sanders share a unique admiration for each other, becoming fast friends after meeting for the first time prior to a preseason game in Detroit last season. Since then, Sanders has praised Barkley at every turn, personally congratulated him for each reward and broken record, and even suggested the young back is headed to Canton.
“Barkley’s great,” Sanders told reporters at the Super Bowl. “He’s a future Hall of Famer.”
From one goat to another, Barkley’s birthday gift to the legend was a great one.
