Charles Barkley was one of the most physical players in the history of the NBA, but even he respects the higher level of intensity in football.
A notoriously massive football fan, Barkley was asked Friday on The Dan Patrick Show whether he is more knowledgeable about the NFL than the NBA (which was a clever trap by Patrick). Barkley didn’t confirm that disparity, but he did admit he “admires” athletes on the gridiron more than the hardwood.
Beyond the obvious violence in the NFL and college football that we can see as spectators, Barkley experienced it firsthand.
“I admire football more than I do basketball,” Barkley said. “It takes a tremendous amount of courage to play football. I played for one day, and I realized I was a ‘puss.’ I was like, ‘Damn they really are hitting out here.'”
In retirement, Barkley explained that he has become more of a fan of football and boxing. Because, Barkley said, those sports best exemplify the physical demands and risks the human body takes in competitive sports. Football players and boxers are the ultimate gladiators.
Basketball, on the other hand, accepts cheaters and hiders.
“You can cheat in basketball. You don’t have to play defense if you’re a one-way offensive player. You can cheat,” Barkley explained. “You cannot cheat in football. If you step on that football field, it’s kind of the same thing (as) boxing … if you’re not all-in, you’re going to have to quit. It’s just dangerous.”
One could look at these comments as the latest example of Barkley ribbing the younger generation of NBA stars. But he doesn’t appear to consider himself an exception here.
If anything, football and boxing were also even more dangerous in the 1980s and 90s when Barkley played basketball. Barkley seems to respect those athletes because they did what he could not.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.