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Giants RB Barkley plans to hold line on spending

By The Sports Xchange
Saquon Barkley celebrates with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen as the second overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft in April. Photo by Sergio Flores/UPI
Saquon Barkley celebrates with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen as the second overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft in April. Photo by Sergio Flores/UPI | License Photo

New York Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley just bought a home for his parents, but he insisted there won't be a string of lavish expenditures to come.

In fact, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft told ESPN that he is not planning to spend one penny of his salary once he signs his rookie deal with New York.

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"That's the goal," said Barkley. "Not to touch it."

Barkley, who is expected to make over $30 million when he finally agrees to terms on his four-year rookie contract, said he will invest his football income and rely on endorsements to cover all other expenses.

"Once I realized when I declared for the NFL Draft and kind of realized where I was going to be drafted, that was something I was like, 'You know what? Kind of want to follow the Marshawn Lynch method. I don't want to touch that. I want to invest it, put it in the right peoples' hands and learn as I continue to make investments. And just live off the endorsement deals,'" said Barkley.

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Lynch was a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills who is entering his 11th season with the Oakland Raiders -- his third NFL team.

Earlier this month, Barkley's No. 26 jersey was ranked as the NFL's top seller over a 30-day period, according to DICK'S Sporting Goods Jersey Report.

Before the draft, Barkley said his first major purchase as a pro athlete would be a house for his parents. Barkley's parents relocated from the Bronx to the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania so the family could grow up in a safer environment.

The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Barkley cemented his status of one of the elite prospects at Penn State, rushing 217 times for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns last season with the Nittany Lions. He also caught 54 passes for 632 yards and two scores, as well as returning two kickoffs for touchdowns.

Barkley lit up the 2018 NFL Combine with a spectacular workout, registering a 4.40 40-yard dash, a 41-inch vertical jump and 29 reps on the bench press.

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