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January 09, 2025
A Leadership Playbook: Saquon Barkley and Sam Pond
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As an official sponsor of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pond Lehocky Giordano celebrates not only the team’s victories, but also the leadership and integrity that make those wins possible. Though we know that resting their starters for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants was the right call – staying fresh for the playoffs is more important – we couldn’t help but feel for Saquon Barkley. The organizational decision to rest him cut short his dreams of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record by just 100 yards. Despite that, Barkley continued to demonstrate how great leadership means putting the team first – a philosophy that founding and managing partner Sam Pond has always endorsed.
Barkley’s Unwavering Commitment to the Team
“I want to be the best of all time,” said Barkley shortly after leaving the Giants for the Eagles last August. He has made his ambitions clear. Since then, he put together one of the best seasons by a running back in NFL history, earning the nickname “2K Sa.” Barkley is only the ninth player to reach 2,000 rushing yards. However, his success can’t be attributed to just natural talent or dogged discipline.
“You go through stuff, whether it’s injuries or contract negotiations, stuff that I didn’t even realize at the time was weighing on me more than I thought because I was always trying to be this superhero and this tough guy,” said Barkley in an interview with ESPN. “It’s not easy to fight battles on your own. It’s easier to do with help and it’s important to surround yourself with a great team. I think you see it now, as a player I’m able to be on a great team and you’re able to see what type of player I am. And that works in life, too.”
Sam Pond’s Team-First Approach
In both football and law, a holistic approach that prioritizes what is best for the team makes all the difference. At Pond Lehocky, this proves especially true when representing clients confronting enormous insurance companies or powerful corporations. Although every one of our attorneys is a star, none of them can succeed in a vacuum.
Sam Pond has championed this comprehensive, team-focused approach from the very beginning. As an avid boxer, he understands that although victory in the ring may look like an individual endeavor, boxers depend on the support of a team of trainers, coaches, sparring partners, and nutritionists.
With that experience in mind, Sam Pond – along with fellow founding partners Jerry Lehocky and Tom Giordano – has always made hiring and recognizing stellar support staff just as much a priority as hiring the best attorneys in the field. These dedicated internal support staff members work closely with our attorneys to build the strongest cases possible. As in boxing or football, all the different roles in our team contribute to a winning case. Paralegals, legal assistants, case managers, investigators, administrative staff, client support specialists, medical experts, and more all come together to help our attorneys win the highest possible settlements for our clients.
This team’s success can only be made possible with habitual recognition and support from leadership – a knack that Sam Pond clearly shares with Saquon Barkley.
Lessons from the Field and the Courtroom
As the Eagles gear up for the playoffs, we’ll be cheering them on, inspired by the values that Barkley and Pond exemplify. Their stories remind us that true leadership is about making sacrifices for the greater good and striving for collective victory.
If you’re facing a legal challenge, Pond Lehocky’s dedicated team is ready to fight for you with the same determination and unity. Call us at 1-800-568-7500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Together, we’ll tackle whatever comes your way.
