In a season full of frustration and disappointment for the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley provided a moment of levity—albeit at their expense. The former Giants star, now thriving for the Philadelphia Eagles, took a playful jab at his old team in a Unisom commercial. Barkley’s lullaby poked fun at Giants co-owner John Mara’s now-infamous line from Hard Knocks: “I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia.”
The ad, which features Barkley singing a lullaby about his success and Mara’s sleepless nights, quickly went viral. While some fans saw it as salt in the wound, Mara himself took it in stride, proving he’s got a sense of humor even when the joke’s on him.
“I called him before the game and told him I was very upset with him based on our relationship of so many years,” Mara said during a press conference. “He said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘The least you could have done is ask me to be in the commercial with you.’”
John Mara called Saquon Barkley and jokingly said he was "very upset" with the commercial that Barkley did, as he wanted to be featured:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 6, 2025
"There is an acting gene in our family, it's not just my nieces" pic.twitter.com/6V9JgmSjkh
John Mara resorts to comedy to ease the Saquon Barkley-sized pain
Mara’s reaction was far from what you’d expect after a 3-14 season and the departure of one of the most beloved Giants in recent memory. Rather than bristle at the playful jab, Mara leaned into the humor, even joking about his family’s Hollywood connections. “I said, ‘There is an acting gene in our family. It’s not just my nieces,’” he added, referencing actresses Kate and Rooney Mara.
The ad itself plays off Barkley’s stellar season in Philadelphia, where he racked up over 2,000 rushing yards and solidified his place in the MVP conversation. While Barkley lounges in bed, visibly unbothered, he croons a lullaby aimed squarely at Mara’s sleepless nights. “Rockabye baby awake in your bed, as the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head,” he sings, with a cheeky smirk.
Mara’s lighthearted take offered a rare moment of levity amid an otherwise bleak winter in East Rutherford.
While the ad is funny, it also highlights the Giants’ ongoing struggles. Barkley’s success in Philly has become a painful reminder of what the team let slip away. General Manager Joe Schoen’s decision to let Barkley walk in free agency, paired with his struggles to assemble a competitive roster, has only added fuel to the fire for fans calling for change.
Mara’s ability to laugh at himself in this situation is admirable, but it doesn’t erase the sting of seeing a franchise icon thrive with a division rival. As Barkley basks in the glow of playoff success and endorsement deals, the Giants are left picking up the pieces of a season to forget.
Still, at least Mara can take solace in one thing: he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.