Saquon Barkley’s babysitting days included losing at Madden to a 12-year-old—before NFL stardom

Before he became a household name in the NFL, Saquon Barkley was just a high school student from Whitehall, Pennsylvania—grinding on the field and picking up babysitting gigs in his free time.

One of those side jobs involved looking after two spirited kids, Zack and Maisey Hartman, whose father, Bob Hartman, happened to be the athletic director at Whitehall High School.

Back when Saquon Barkley babysat and got schooled in Madden by a 12-year-old

Fast forward to today, and Barkley is not only a Philadelphia Eagles star but also the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26—a distinction he shares only with Eagles legend Donovan McNabb. The 2025 Super Bowl Champion and AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year has earned his way to the top.

But for Zack Hartman, now 22, his ultimate bragging right came long before the world recognized Barkley’s talent.“I beat him in Madden when I was 11 years old or something and he was 17,” Zack told Good Morning America. “It’s probably the highlight for me and my entire life, probably will be forever.” That unforgettable match-up ended with a close 31-28 win for Zack, with Barkley using the Browns—just after Johnny Manziel had been drafted.

“I can’t imagine he was too happy about losing to a 12-year-old,” Zack joked to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“But it was fun.”

Maisey, now grown up too, remembers Barkley not just as a running back, but as a genuinely kind person who was easy to connect with. “He wasn’t super strict, making sure we’re in bed on time, which maybe he could have been more strict on. But he was a great babysitter,” she shared, with a nostalgic smile.What stands out most is how the siblings never lost touch with their admiration for Barkley—even as he leapt into stardom. “I’m so proud of him. Like, he deserves every minute of what he’s getting,” said Maisey. Meanwhile, Zack had his own words of encouragement: “Go dominate, like, be the dude that you are. You’re the best player in football for a reason.”That respect came full circle when the Hartmans found themselves cheering for Barkley and the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome.

“This is the first time I’m ever going to root for the Eagles in my entire life,” admitted Zack, a former Cowboys fan. Maisey added proudly, “I’m always ‘Go Birds.’”From babysitting to becoming a digital icon on the Madden cover, Barkley’s journey is a testament to talent, heart, and the kind of relationships that stay rooted long after the final whistle. For the Hartmans, Saquon isn’t just a football hero—he’s a part of their story.Also Read: Throwback to when Patrick Mahomes got candid about being a proud girl dad for the first time: “I Wanted to Have a Boy First”