Charles Barkley the person is a stark contrast from Charles Barkley the player.
On the NBA hardwood, Barkley was a dominant force who played much bigger than his actual height. The Hall of Famer was fearless, relentless on the glass and powerful in the paint. He was a serious competitor who took no crap on or off the court. Nike captured his attitude in the memorable commercial in which Barkley infamously stated, “I am not a role model.”
“I am not a role model,” said Barkley. “I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”
The 11x All-Star carried that hardened attitude and style of play throughout his 16-year NBA career and fans loved him for it.
But as a broadcaster, Barkley relinquished his hardened exterior and released his humorous side, which has endeared him to sports fans.
When he, Ernie, Shaq and Kenny start talking on Turner Sports “NBA on TNT,” it’s must-see TV. And Barkley’s humor, charm, experience and personal stories are major reasons for the long-running show’s success.
But over the last few years, Barkley’s off-camera activities have shined an even brighter light on Barkley the person, not the celebrity.
Since 2016, Barkley has pledged/gifted $7 million to HBCU schools including Alabama A&M, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Miles College, Tuskegee University, Spelman, and, most recently, Bethune-Cookman.
He’s also become more active in the current political climate. After the Supreme Court gutted Affirmative Action, Barkley changed his will to leave $5 million to Black students at Auburn.
“In my will, I am leaving Auburn $5 million,” Barkley said after SCOTUS’ ruling. “I’m going to change it to be just for scholarships for Black students. That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse.”
It was a decision applauded by everyone and a move that demonstrated Barkley’s understanding of the social issues plaguing the country.
Then earlier this week, Barkley unveiled his old unabashed attitude from his playing days in defense of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a now-viral video, Barkley bought beer for patrons at a Lake Tahoe bar and unleashed against “rednecks” and “a**holes” who launched a foolish anti-Bud Light movement over nothing.
“Hey, let me tell you something,” railed Barkley. “All you rednecks or a** who don’t want to drink Bud Light, f* y’all. Hey, y’all can’t cancel me!
“Hey, I ain’t worried about getting canceled because let me tell you something, if y’all fire me and give me all that money, I’m gonna be playing golf every (expletive) day. So listen, as I said last night, if you’re gay, God bless you. If you’re transgender, God bless you. And if you have a problem with them – f* you,” exclaimed Barkley.
It was another memorable moment for Charles Barkley the person. It was another moment where Barkley used his celebrity status to support a marginalized group being targeted by hate and ignorance.
Now, these decisions and antics don’t necessarily erase some of the things Barkley has done and said in the past. Nor will it make everyone suddenly embrace him.
But what these moments do is show the world that Charles Barkley is more than a basketball player or media personality.
Some love to ignorantly call him dumb because of his Southern drawl and some of the things he says, but Barkley is far from dumb.
“It’s easy to sometimes dismiss Charles Barkley as just a joker. He is, after all, incredibly funny,” wrote Mike Freeman in his recent story on Barkley. “Says goofy stuff. Can even be crude. But the one thing Barkley is above all else is real. The realest of the real.”
Real is definitely what Barkley is.
Taking a stand financially and now verbally lets communities under attack know that they are seen and supported. In the current environment we live in, where Republicans and red states are viciously attacking freedoms, health, education, basic human rights and decency, Barkley’s stance is a much-needed show of unapologetic support for these communities.
Say what you will about Barkley, but you can’t deny that he’s been doing right by those who need help.
And for that reason, Charles Barkley appears to becoming the role model he once denied he was.
