Saquon Barkley was a babysitter before he became an Eagles star

By GMA Team

Long before he was a running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL star Saquon Barkley was a typical teenager who also took on some babysitting side jobs.

Now, two of the children Barkley used to watch – Maisey and Zack Hartman – are all grown up, and this Sunday, the siblings say they're going to be rooting for the Eagles and Barkley to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Courtesy of Maisey Hartman

Before he became an NFL star, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was a teen babysitter and cared for Maisey Hartman.

"This is the first time I'm ever going to root for the Eagles in my entire life," Zack Hartman, a former Dallas Cowboys fan, told "Good Morning America."

Matt Slocum/AP

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushes for a gain against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia.

"I'm always 'Go birds,'" Maisey Hartman said.

Barkley got his start at Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, where he was also a star running back for the Whitehall Zephyrs. He came to know the Hartmans because Bob Hartman, Maisey and Zack's father, is the athletic director at Whitehall.

Courtesy of Maisey Hartman

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is pictured with Bob Hartman (left), the athletic director at Whitehall High School, Barkley’s alma mater.

"When I tell people at school that Saquon Barkley was my babysitter, and they're like, 'Maisey, do you realize like this?' I'm just like, 'No,'" Maisey Hartman told "GMA."

Brynn Anderson/AP

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley participates during Super Bowl 59 Opening Night,, Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans.

According to the Hartman siblings, Barkley, now a father of two himself, was a natural at the babysitting job.

"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," Maisey Hartman recalled.

Although a few years have passed since Barkley was their babysitter, the Hartmans say they still have vivid memories of their time together.

Courtesy of Maisey Hartman

Before he became an NFL star, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was a teen babysitter and cared for Maisey Hartman and her brother Zack Hartman.

"I beat him in Madden when I was 11 years old or something and he was 17," Zack Hartman said, referring to the NFL video game series. "It's probably the highlight for me and my entire life, probably will be forever."

The Hartmans say they're cheering their former babysitter on ahead of the Super Bowl.

"I'm so proud of him. Like, he deserves every minute of what he's getting," Maisey Hartman said of Barkley's success.

"Go dominate, like, be the dude that you are. You're the best player in football for a reason," Zack Hartman added.