Saquon Barkley perfectly sums up Eagles fans with one quote

Saquon Barkley played against the Philadelphia Eagles twice a year as a member of the hated New York Giants for six seasons. Now, he's Philadelphia's starting running back, so he's uniquely qualified to speak on fans in Philadelphia as someone who has been on the receiving end of both their ire and their adoration.

Saquon Barkley has seen both sides of Eagles fans

During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Barkley perfectly summed up Eagles fans with one quote.

"I've gotten to see both sides of it," Barkley said of Philadelphia fans. "I got to see when it's really good and I got to see when you're the guy who messes up the play and you get to hear that Philly side of it too. But that's the beauty of it. You know how passionate the fans are, you know the culture that's around that city.

"The second you sign there or the second you're drafted there, you have to embrace it," he added. "You have to fall in love with it. When it's high, they're going to embrace you. And when it's low, they're going to let you know. That's how I want it to be. You don't want people to sugarcoat anything, you don't want people to lie to you."

Barkley pretty much nailed it. You can't be half-in in Philadelphia. If you give the team -- and city -- your all, you'll be embraced wholeheartedly. Just ask Jason Kelce. Or Allen Iverson. There's a long list of players who have been lionized by the city, but there are also plenty who have been vilified for various reasons. Philly isn't for everyone. The passion of the fans can be overwhelming.

That passion was on full display in New Orleans this past weekend, as thousands of Philadelphia fans flocked to the Big Easy to show support for the Birds before, during and after their Week 3 win over the Saints. Bourbon Street was splashed with an endless sea of green and "E-A-G-L-E-S" chants rang out from every direction. Locals were stunned by the sheer number of Philly fans who made the trek.

Thankfully, the Eagles rewarded all of the fans who took the trip to New Orleans with a thrilling 15-12 victory over the Saints. Barkley scored two touchdowns in the contest, including a 65-yard gallop that he punctuated by diving in a pack of Eagles fans positioned behind the End Zone.

After years of being booed by Eagles fans, it must have been surreal for Barkley to jump into a pile of them after an incredible play, which is fitting, because it's still surreal for Eagles fans to have a back as talented as Barkley on the team.