Saquon Barkley and Charles Barkley are two famous athletes who have made their mark in their respective sports. Saquon Barkley is a professional American football player who plays as a running back for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He has been regarded as one of the best running backs in the league due to his incredible speed, agility, and strength. On the other hand, Charles Barkley is a retired professional basketball player who played for various teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was known for his powerful rebounding and aggressive playing style and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Despite playing different sports, both Barkleys have gained a large following due to their impressive performances. But are they related by blood or by name? Let’s find out.
The Origin of the Barkley Name
The name Barkley is of English origin and means “birch wood” or “birch clearing”. It is derived from the Old English words “birc” (birch) and “leah” (wood, clearing). The name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Berchelei” and later as “Barkley” in 1208. The name was also used as a surname for people who lived near a birch wood or clearing.
The name Barkley is not very common in the United States, ranking 3,319th in popularity according to the 2020 census. There are about 11,000 people with the surname Barkley in the country, mostly concentrated in Texas, California, and Florida. The name is more common in England, Scotland, and Ireland, where it has various spellings such as Barclay, Berkeley, Berkley, and Barcley.
The Family Background of Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley was born on February 9, 1997, in the Bronx, New York, to parents Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson. He has four siblings: Rashard Johnson, Aliyah Barkley, Shaquona Barkley, and Ali Barkley. Saquon’s father, Alibay Barkley, went to prison when Saquon was a child, and the family moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Alibay became an excellent boxer, and Iran Barkley, Saquon’s uncle, was also a pro boxer. However, Saquon Barkley has nothing to do with Charles Barkley.
Saquon attended Whitehall High School in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in football and track and field. He then played college football at Penn State University from 2015 to 2017, where he set several school records and received multiple awards. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft as the second overall pick. He quickly made an impact in his rookie season, setting multiple NFL and team records and being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has continued to perform at a high level, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his first two seasons in the league. Despite missing much of the 2020 season due to injury, Saquon remains one of the most promising young players in the NFL and a key player for the Giants.
The Family Background of Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley was born on February 20, 1963, in Leeds, Alabama, to parents Charcey Glenn and Frank Barkley. He has three siblings: John Glennie Barkley Jr., Darryl Barkley, and Renee Barkley. Charles’ father left the family when he was a child, and his mother raised him with the help of his grandmother Johnnie Mae Edwards. Charles did not have a close relationship with his father until later in life.
Charles attended Leeds High School in Leeds, Alabama, where he played basketball but did not receive much attention from college scouts due to his height and weight. He then played college basketball at Auburn University from 1981 to 1984, where he became one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and earned the nickname “The Round Mound of Rebound”. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 1984 NBA Draft as the fifth overall pick. He played for three teams in his NBA career: the Philadelphia 76ers (1984-1992), the Phoenix Suns (1992-1996), and the Houston Rockets (1996-2000). He was one of the most dominant power forwards in NBA history, averaging 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, and the 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player. He also won two gold medals with the United States men’s national basketball team at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He retired from playing in 2000 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Charles is currently a sports analyst and commentator for TNT’s Inside the NBA show, where he is known for his outspoken and humorous opinions. He is also a philanthropist and a political activist, supporting various causes and candidates. He is married to Maureen Blumhardt since 1989 and has one daughter, Christiana Barkley, born in 1989.
The Conclusion
Saquon Barkley and Charles Barkley are not related by blood or by name. They are simply two talented athletes who happen to share a surname. They have different family backgrounds, different origins of their name, and different sports careers. However, they have a mutual respect for each other’s athletic abilities and achievements. They are both stars in their own right, and they both have the Barkley name to be proud of.
