He’s known for hurdle-jumping over defenders and stiff-arming his way through the NFC East. But lately, people aren't just talking about his rushing yards. They're obsessed with a certain four-legged athlete who shares his name.
Honestly, the Saquon Barkley Puppy Bowl connection is one of those internet rabbit holes that started with a pun and ended up becoming a legitimate viral sensation during the 2025 season.
It wasn't Saquon himself in a dog suit—though that would be incredible TV. Instead, the world met Saquon Barky, a Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd mix who basically stole the show at Puppy Bowl XXI.
The Rise of Saquon Barky
If you missed the broadcast on Animal Planet, here’s the deal. Every year, the Puppy Bowl features rescue pups from across the country to promote adoption. For the 21st anniversary, a shelter called the Providence Animal Center in Media, Pennsylvania, decided to lean into the local hype.
They had this fluffy, high-energy pup. He was quick. He was agile. He was a natural for Team Ruff.
They named him Saquon Barky.
It was a total marketing masterstroke. At the time, the real Saquon Barkley was tearing it up for the Philadelphia Eagles, and the local fans in the Delaware Valley went absolutely feral for the puppy version.
Why the name stuck
Usually, these names are just cute throwaways. But Barky actually had the "tape" to back it up. In the 2025 Puppy Bowl, he was part of the starting lineup.
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He didn't just sit in the end zone and sniff the turf. He moved.
- Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog / Australian Shepherd Mix
- Team: Team Ruff
- Home Shelter: Providence Animal Center (PA)
- The Look: Classic Berner markings with that chaotic Shepherd energy.
The pup became an instant Instagram star before the game even aired. People were legitimately betting (unofficially, of course) on whether he’d take home the "Lombarky" trophy.
Did the real Saquon Barkley get involved?
This is where the "E-E-A-T" of the story gets interesting. Saquon Barkley has a well-documented history of giving back through the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation. He’s dealt with housing insecurity himself as a kid, so he’s usually focused on underserved youth and families.
But he’s also a guy who knows how to play along with a good joke.
While the NFL star wasn't out there coaching the puppies on the field—that job went to guys like Keon Coleman and Zay Flowers in recent years—the overlap between the Eagles’ success and the Puppy Bowl’s "Saquon Barky" created a massive PR lift for the shelter.
It’s a classic example of how athlete branding can help local charities without the athlete even having to sign a check. The name alone drove adoption inquiries through the roof.
The Reality of Puppy Bowl XXI
You've gotta remember that the Puppy Bowl is filmed months in advance. By the time you saw Saquon Barky "rushing" for touchdowns on your TV screen in February 2025, he had already been adopted.
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His new family? They actually live a few towns over from the shelter.
They kept the spirit of the name, though he goes by Nemo (or sometimes Milo) now. He lives with an older dog and a cat who, according to reports, isn't nearly as impressed by his football skills as the rest of the country was.
The 2026 Outlook
As we head into Puppy Bowl XXII in 2026, the "celebrity pun" trend is only getting bigger. We're seeing more NFL players get involved in the "Pup Close and Personal" segments.
Last year, Keon Coleman was out there teaching drills to rescue dogs.
Zay Flowers and Patrick Queen from the Ravens have also been huge advocates, even looking into adopting pups they met during production.
What most people get wrong about the Puppy Bowl
A lot of fans think these dogs are professional "actors" or that the game is staged. It’s actually just chaos.
The referees, like the legendary Dan Schachner, have to deal with:
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- Illegal odor downfield (you can guess what that is).
- Invasive sniffing.
- Unsportsmanlike sleepiness (puppies nap whenever they want).
It’s a three-hour special that actually results in a 100% adoption rate for the participants. That’s the real win, regardless of who gets the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) award.
Actionable Steps for Animal Lovers
If you were inspired by the Saquon Barkley Puppy Bowl hype and want to get involved, don't just wait for the next Super Bowl Sunday.
Support the source: The Providence Animal Center (where Barky came from) and the Brandywine Valley SPCA are constantly over capacity. They need fosters more than they need "likes" on Instagram.
Check the "Pupularity" playoffs: Every year, Animal Planet runs a bracket where you can vote for your favorite dogs. It’s a great way to see which shelters are participating and find a pet near you.
Look beyond the puppies: The 2026 Puppy Bowl is introducing a new game specifically for senior dogs. Puppies are cute, but senior dogs are usually house-trained and much lower maintenance for busy football fans.
The "Barkley" effect proved that a good name can save a life. Whether it’s a star running back on the field or a fluffy mix in a water bowl, the impact is real.
Check your local local SPCA listings today—you might find the next "Lombarky" champion waiting for a home.