Watch: Accelerate ACL Client Saquon Barkley Defies Gravity, Conquers Adversity

When we think about the journey back from an ACL injury, the question most often asked is: “Will I ever feel normal again?”

It’s understandable. An ACL injury can feel like a wall between the life you knew and a life filled with “what ifs.” But every now and then, someone steps up to show us that “normal” might just be a stop along the way, not the finish line. 

One Accelerate ACL client, Saquon Barkley (running back for the Philadelphia Eagles), recently pulled off a move that made headlines and left fans speechless – leaping over a defender, backward.

Saquon is no stranger to spectacular plays; his trademark moves often involve soaring over defenders in ways that only the most athletic can dream of. But this leap was different – it was innovative, and in many ways, a message to anyone wondering if a return to greatness after ACL surgery is possible. 

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I remember a session with Saquon about two years ago. We were discussing his remarkable ability to jump over defenders, a skill that has been part of his game for years. In the middle of that conversation, Saquon looked at me, smiled, and shared that he wanted to someday pull off a 360-degree jump turn over a defender. The audacity of it left a mark – and it was a goal that seemed like the stuff of dreams. But what he achieved on the field last Sunday, that backward leap over a defender, was as close as I believe anyone may ever get to that goal.

This wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment; it was a testament to his journey back from surgery, showing that he didn’t just recover – he evolved. 

🎥Click here to watch behind-the-scenes footage from a training session with Saquon and hear him discuss what he calls his “cheat code.”

Saquon’s backward leap over that defender symbolizes a lesson for anyone recovering from an ACL injury: recovery is about more than returning to the basics – it’s about reclaiming and even reinventing your limits. Recovery can bring you to a place where you aren’t just hoping to feel “normal” again but where you’re prepared to push beyond anything you’ve done before.

Here are three key takeaways from Saquon’s journey that can inspire anyone facing the physical and mental challenges of ACL recovery: 

1. Dream Big, Even During Recovery: Saquon had aspirations for himself that sounded impossible to others, but he never let that limit him. While it may feel like a far-off goal now, setting your sights on something inspiring – like jumping higher, running faster, or playing harder than ever before – gives you a reason to push through each stage of recovery with purpose.

2. Recovery Can Lead to Evolution, Not Just Restoration: As seen in Saquon’s story, recovery isn’t about simply going back to your previous abilities. In many ways, it’s a chance to grow stronger, faster, and more resilient than you were before. This idea – that recovery can be an evolution rather than a return – can help shift your mindset and keep you motivated during tough days.

3. Believe in the Process and the Results Will Follow: ACL rehab is a grind, and there will be days when progress feels nonexistent. But as Saquon’s story shows, trust in your work and faith in the process can carry you through. The journey may feel impossible at times, but perseverance is what brings results that even you might not have expected.

For those of you recovering from ACL injuries, let Saquon’s story remind you that you are capable of greatness – not only of returning to what you were but of achieving things you may never have considered possible. Saquon’s backward leap over a defender was more than a play; it was a powerful reminder that our limits are often self-imposed. With dedication, you can push past those limits and achieve something remarkable. 

Your journey back may be challenging, but when you think about what’s possible, remember: normal doesn’t have to be the end goal. As Saquon showed us, it can be just the beginning.