New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley said earlier this month that he wanted to “grow as a leader” in the Giants locker room.

That role entails standing up for the other veteran leader in the clubhouse.

Barkley defended Giants quarterback Eli Manning in a recent interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, amid criticism of the aging QB.

“Yeah, it bothers me. I’m not going to lie because it’s not his fault,” Barkley told Rooks in an upcoming interview. “He’s not the reason why. We love to put the blame on one person, but it takes 11 men, a team and an organization all together to win.”

Saquon, Dame, Jimmy and more. Go behind the scenes with some of the best athletes in the world. “Take It There” with @TaylorRooks premieres April 3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4u33FddjQh — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 27, 2019

The two-time Super Bowl champion Manning has developed into a punching bag for Giants fans and pundits alike.

You can just tell Saquon is a special guy, a natural born leader.

And he also knows how to respect his elders.

Eli might not be the best, but he was good enough to win 2 Superbowls, not an easy feat.

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