When Tom Brady gives you advice or a hype speech, you listen.
And that's exactly what Giants RB Saquon Barkley did at the Met Gala this year when he and Brady met for the very first time. Speaking at the NFL's gala on Tuesday to begin their 100th season, Barkley flashed back to that moment with Brady that changed his entire mood from party mode to game mode.
"It's great to do it for one season, but can you do it for five? Can you do it for 10?" Barkley recalled Brady saying to him, according to NJ Advance Media's Ryan Dunleavy. "I'm standing there at the Met Gala ready to run through a brick wall."
Giants fans know how competitive Barkley is, so a statement like that from arguably the best quarterback to play the game will turn that switch on. Unfortunately, though, Brady won't get to witness that on Thursday when both teams meet each other for the final preseason game before the regular season kicks off.
Luckily, that isn't the only time they meet this season.
The Giants and Patriots will square off for real on Oct. 10 for Week 6 of the regular season, with New York facing the AFC East this season. Barring any injuries, Barkley and Brady will be going head-to-head to see who can lead their offenses to victory on Thursday Night Football.
But being the professional that he is, Brady didn't mind giving Barkley a little fuel to the fire that already burns bright inside of him to be one of the best running backs in NFL history. He'll be gunning for the Pats on the big stage in Foxborough, but he admits it was surreal being able to have that conversation with Brady.
"Sometimes you take it for granted, but to be able to talk to legends that you've been watching for a very long time? Every day I talk to one with Eli (Manning). You don't really take the time to cherish it. You are so caught up in the moment. Sometimes you have to take a step back."
This season will be full steam ahead for Barkley, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. in Cleveland now. Barkley amassed 2,028 scrimmage yards in his rookie season, including 1,307 yards on the ground. He'll be aiming to match or even break that production this year, and no matter if its a wall or linebackers he has to run through, he's determine to make that happen.