Charles Barkley Praised Following Comments About ‘Homophobic’ People
· Yahoo Sports
Former NBA player Charles Barkley is receiving praise from social media users after honoring the late Jason Collins, the first openly gay big four athlete. Collins died at the age of 47 following an intense battle with brain cancer.
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On an episode of “Inside the NBA,” Charles Barkley, along with fellow basketball legends, honored Collins for living authentically despite living in a “homophobic” world.
Charles Barkley Praises The Late Jason Collins, The First Openly Gay NBA PlayerBarkley paid his respects to Collins on a recent episode of the ESPN broadcast, saying he thought it was “amazing” when the NBA player came out in 2013.
“To put himself under the microscope and the scrutiny. He was a shining example, ‘Do you, man.’ Anybody out there struggling with their sexuality, do you,” Barkley said.
According to several outlets, including ESPN, Collins passed away earlier this week after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer.
Collins, who was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2001 and later played for teams such as the Nets and Grizzlies, made headlines when he told Sports Illustrated, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Charles Barkley Says The World Is Still ‘Homophobic’ Following Collins’ Death
MEGASpeaking with his panel of co-hosts, including Los Angeles Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley said there are other professional athletes in major sports leagues who are gay.
However, he explained that most of them won’t come out because of society’s “homophobic” mentality. “If another guy did it, it would still be a big deal because we live in a homophobic society,” he said. And that’s unfortunate. Anybody who thinks we ain’t got a bunch of gay players in all sports, they’re just stupid.”
According to Barkley, there’s still much “animosity” toward the LGBTQ+ community, but he said that the negativity won’t stop people from being gay. “But anybody that think him coming, I know a couple of other soccer players that came out, if you think there are not more gay players in the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA, you’re just stupid,” he said.
Charles Barkley Has Been A Vocal Ally For Years
MEGAThis isn’t the first time Barkley has shared his thoughts on the queer community. According to Them.Us, Barkley went viral in 2022 when he voiced his support for the transgender community.
“I want to say this: If you’re gay and transgender, I love you,” he said. “And if anybody gives you shit, you tell them Charles said ‘F-ck you!'”
Years before that, Barkley told CNN that he stood firmly against all forms of discrimination and bigotry. “… against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it,” he said.
He went on to say that, as a public figure, it’s his responsibility to stand up for those who can’t do it themselves.
One NBA Player Said He ‘Hates’ Gay People
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And while some may believe there isn’t homophobia lingering throughout professional sports, think again. BET reported in 2022 about retired athlete Tim Hardaway’s 2007 rant, in which he said he “hates” gay people.
“I don’t like gay people. I don’t like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don’t like it. It shouldn’t be in the world…or in the United States,” he said.
Years later, he apologized for his actions, saying his upbringing in the church influenced his comments. “I was just taught differently. Don’t talk to them, don’t mess with them, leave them alone. I never tried to talk bad about them or do hateful stuff. It was just my upbringing in church,” he said.
Continuing, Hardaway said he was “wrong” for what he said, acknowledging the pain queer people have endured. “I had to grow up and really do some soul-searching. What I said was just hurtful,” he added.
Social Media Users Are Praising Barkley For Continuing To Advocate For Gay Players
MEGAOn Reddit, users lauded Barkley for his kind words about gay athletes, with one calling him “such a good dude.”
Another user said Barkley deserves respect for speaking positively about the queer community as a Black man. “For as progressive as we want the system to be, there’s a huge demographic that is incredibly hypocritical,” they wrote.
Someone else added, “Chuck is the best thing to ever come out of Auburn University. Love the dude.”
RIP Collins.
The Charles Barkley Praised Following Comments About ‘Homophobic’ People first appeared on The Blast