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Penn State legend Saquon Barkely appears on "Hot Ones," reflects on favorite lifting exploits

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•04/04/25•

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Saquon Barkley Penn state Football On3
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 07: Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter during a college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Northwestern Wildcats on October 07, 2017, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Northwestern won 31-7. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Former Penn State running back and Super Bowl Champion Saquon Barkley joined the YouTube interview show Hot Ones this week. The show debuted on Thursday, April 3, and Barkely took the ten-wing hot sauce challenge while answering questions from host Sean Evans. 

Evans and the Hot Ones team are known for asking deep-dive questions from a guest’s background to uncover interesting or little-known facts and conversation topics with his interview subjects. Heer ae some of the interesting and relevant conversations from Barkley’s appearance on the show. 

Barkley’s all-time favorite lift at Penn State isn’t the one you’re thinking of

Barkley was already a college football sensation when he produced one of the most viral offseason lifting clips in football history. Before his sophomore season, Barkley shocked the internet by power-cleaning 405 pounds, which, as of a few years ago, was still a school record.

But that wasn’t his favorite lift. Despite his humble and polite demeanor is an incredibly competitive person. (The interview wraps with the duo playing Connect Four.) So, for Barkley, his favorite lift came the year prior when he was head-to-head with teammate tight end Mike Gesicki.

“I did one the year before, when I was like, 18, and it was 390 because me and my teammate Mike Gesicki, we were battling. We were going at it, and we were competing. And he got 365 or 375. I popped the 365-375, and I did the 390; he couldn’t do 390. I’m kind of throwing shade; my fault, Mike. He didn’t do 390 but you don’t see it on the video. When I’m done the video cuts off, I’m like, [pantomimes flipping off Gesicki].” 

“When I first got to Penn State, you know, I told all my guys I’m gonna break all the records up there, especially running backs. Here are some more Barkley exploits for your entertainment.

Grade school exploits

Evans dug deeper into the past to ask Barkley about his days playing youth football. His dad offered him $100 if he scored 15 touchdowns in a season. A feat he, of course, accomplished.

“That’s 100% true,” Barkley said. “This is the only time I ever scored a 99-yard touchdown. I guess I didn’t because it didn’t count. The ball’s, like on the one-yard line. And I remember just breaking a long touchdown run to the right side. And my dad, [he’s] been super supportive throughout my own career. And he’s on the side, and I remember looking at him, and I’m just cheesing, because, like, $100 at the time, you know, I mean, like, I’m just cheesing, and like, he’s already laughing at me because I don’t see that.

“He sees the flag. He’s laughing. He’s pointing like it’s coming back. We got, like, a first down, or, like, not a first down or big play after that, and then I broke, like, another long touchdown run and cashed it. Yeah, I think I used it on, like, Chinese food for, my family. Got some shrimp fried rice and garlic chicken, something like that. So it was fun.”

Barkley’s running style comes from his childhood hero

Barkley has always been a unique runner. Despite his size and power, he’s always been an elusive back. His jaw-dropping juke moves throughout his Penn State career were inspired early by one of the NFL’s greatest running backs; Barry Sanders.

“Barry’s my guy. Oh, he’s my favorite running back of all time. When I was a little kid, I used to wear number 20, and I used to run around, reverse the field. And, you know, they used to call me little Barry. And at this time, I went to my dad. I’m like, ‘Who are they talking about?’ And, you know, he made me sit down and go on YouTube. And that’s kind of when I show you the history. That’s when I kind of fell in love with Barry Sanders at the running back. Then being able to meet him in person, have a conversation with him, and having a great relationship with him.”

“Sometimes I look back and I just smile and think how blessed I am.”

You can watch the entire interview with the Penn State legend in the YouTube link embedded above.

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