They call it the "Philly Special," but for Saquon Barkley, the most special moment of 2025 didn't even happen in the end zone. It happened with a ring.
Funny how things work out. One minute you’re the star running back for the New York Giants, fighting through knee injuries and "washed" allegations. The next, you’re the centerpiece of a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run, rushing for over 2,000 yards, and—finally—putting a massive diamond on the finger of the woman who’s been there since the Penn State days.
Anna Congdon isn't just "Saquon Barkley's fiancee." Honestly, if you ask him, she’s the reason he still has a career.
Who Is Anna Congdon Anyway?
Most people see a "WAG" on the sidelines and assume the story is simple. It isn't. Anna grew up in Forest City, Pennsylvania. She wasn't just some cheerleader; she was a legit athlete herself.
She was the captain of her high school basketball team at Forest City Regional. We’re talking about a girl who led her team to a district championship and was known for being the "glue" player. Her coach, John Duffy, once told the local papers that she treated the 15th kid on the bench exactly like the star.
That leadership sort of translated into her relationship later. She met Saquon at Penn State in late 2016. He was a sophomore; she was a freshman.
Their first "date"? A fraternity formal in December. Anna actually posted a photo of them together back then with a caption that still makes people laugh: "He’s alright on the field, but you should see him on the dance floor."
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The Engagement That "Leaked"
The timeline of their engagement is kind of a mess if you look at the tabloids, but here’s what really happened.
Saquon actually popped the question sometime in 2024, but they kept it quiet. Like, really quiet. It wasn't until February 2, 2025—just a week before the Eagles played the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX—that the news officially broke during a People Magazine interview.
Saquon was actually a bit annoyed about it. He told reporters at the Super Bowl media day that he wished Anna could have announced it on her own terms rather than having it "spoiled" by a snack brand advertisement (shoutout to Flipz) they were filming.
"I've been engaged for like six months," he told the press in New Orleans. Basically, it was old news to them, but a bombshell for the rest of the world.
Life Before the Ring: The Kids and the Grind
You can't talk about Anna without talking about Jada and Saquon Jr. (S.J.).
Jada Clare Barkley was born on April 24, 2018. That date is significant. Why? Because it was literally 48 hours before Saquon was drafted No. 2 overall by the Giants.
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Imagine that for a second. You’re 19 years old, you just had a baby, and your partner is about to become the face of a New York franchise with millions of dollars and a mountain of pressure on his shoulders.
Most people would fold. Anna didn't.
She was the one who pushed him to go back to Penn State and finish his degree in 2022. He didn't need the degree for the money, obviously. But Anna wanted him to set an example for the kids. She’s the one who kept him sane during the ACL tear in 2020 when everyone was saying he was a "bust."
Then came Saquon Jr. in September 2022. Now, they're a family of four, often seen doing "pre-game handshakes" on the sidelines at Lincoln Financial Field. It’s kinda become a ritual.
Navigating the 2025 Backlash
It hasn't all been roses and Super Bowl rings. When the engagement went public in early 2025, the "internet" did what the internet does.
People dug up old tweets of Anna's from when she was a teenager. They contained some pretty offensive and racist language. The backlash was fast, and it was loud.
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Anna didn't hide, though. She deleted the posts, issued a direct apology, and admitted she had grown since those teenage years. Saquon stood right by her. His take was pretty simple: Growth is real, and family stands strong.
Then you had the "gold digger" comments because of the size of the ring. People estimated it at six figures. But considering they’ve been together since they were broke college kids in Happy Valley, that narrative didn't really stick with anyone who actually knows their history.
What’s Next for the Couple?
As of early 2026, the wedding bells are the next big thing on the horizon.
They haven't released a date yet. Honestly, Saquon’s been a little busy winning championships and rushing for 2,000 yards. But if the past decade is any indication, it’ll likely be a private affair back in Pennsylvania.
Key takeaway for those following their journey:
- Anna is a former basketball star, not just a social media figure.
- They’ve been together since 2017 (nearly a decade).
- She was the driving force behind him finishing his college degree.
- The engagement was a secret for half a year before the 2025 Super Bowl.
If you’re looking to follow her for more updates, she’s relatively quiet on Instagram compared to other NFL partners. She posts maybe a few times a year—usually big milestones like birthdays or trophy ceremonies.
Keep an eye out for a summer wedding announcement. Given Saquon's deep roots in PA and his "family first" mantra, expect something that honors their Penn State beginnings rather than a flashy Hollywood production.
Actionable Insight: If you're interested in the lifestyle of NFL families, following Anna Congdon on social media offers a rare look at a "private-first" approach. Unlike many high-profile couples, they prioritize long-term stability over daily content, which is likely why they've outlasted almost every other couple from their draft class.