Posted on 07/31/2020 6:38:26 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
American basketball legend Charles Barkley continues to anger leftists by holding very moderate political opinions. Last month, Barkley took issue with black celebrities promulgating anti-Semitic and anti-white racism. And on Thursday, Barkley again ticked off leftists by defending professional sports players who choose to stand during the national anthem.
The first game of the NBA returned on Thursday in a matchup between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans. Every player, coach, and even the referee took a knee as the national anthem began to play. The players wore shirts with the words "Black Lives Matter" emblazoned on the front.
While Barkley said that he was glad to see everyone unified during Thursday's game, Barkley also said a player who doesn't kneel for the national anthem is "not a bad person."
"I want to make that perfectly clear," Barkley reiterated, "I'm glad they had unity, but if we have a guy who doesn't want to kneel because the anthem means something to him, he should not be vilified."
Some people, like former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka, would argue that the bad people are actually the ones kneeling while their country's anthem is being played. Even Barkley's mild defense of those who choose to respect the national anthem and the country it symbolizes is anathema to today's left.
While many on social media accused Barkley of supporting police brutality and carrying more about white people than people who share his skin color, ESPN host Jay Williams bravely endorsed Barkley's opinion.
How quickly we went from one player in the NFL protesting the country's anthem to it being a controversial statement to defend a person who stands during the national anthem, a person that didn't even exist during Thursday night's NBA game.
Mr. Barkley is a classy man with visions way beyond his peers.....
There won't be any meaningful season for any of them this year due to the China Virus.
Combine that with no fans in the stands and a disgusted viewing audience....
Fergettaboutit....
“Mr. Barkley is a classy man with visions way beyond his peers.....”
And to think he’s a hardcore, dyed in the wool democrat.
Then maybe he can persuade some Democrats ti cool it a bit. They sure won’t listen ti a non-leftie.
Was he not also called sir Charles Barkley?
My favorite Barkley action was giving Bill Laimbeer a black eye.
RE: Was he not also called sir Charles Barkley?
Yes. Sir Charles for short.
Having worked frequently at the Basketball Hall of Fame, I found myself in rooms with Barkley (and other great players.) In person, behind the scenes he is a good guy. This was not true of all of them.
Surprisingly, the other guy who was “decent” to the people around him was Rodman.
The people you imagine who would be jerks, are jerks.
It takes courage to stand against the tide. Submission is acquiescence.
I think that rank and file old guard Democrats are now realizing that BLM/Antifa, protesting, and the Hate America stuff does not play well outside of urban areas.
They get away with kneeling because there are no fans there. There will be little support for this disrepact when fans are back, especially for football.
Guy used to kill the Sonics. I was pretty into the Sonics before the strike (walked away from the NBA at that point).
Barkley was a killer. The Suns had quite a few. Paul Westfall was the coach. Hated those guys.
Met Barkley on a golf course in Tahoe. One of the nicest men ever. He is in constant pain. Walked the entire course. Winces with every step. Way, way out of shape and needs to take care of his health, but not sure its one of his priorities.
Finally someone in NBA who has some sense.
If the fans are back and in the stands they’re “de facto” supporting the kneeling because they have paid for their tickets. The fans can boo all they want they’ve paid their money and that’s what matters. The only way this will change is if the fans in stands don’t come back !
“Mr. Barkley is a classy man with visions way beyond his peers.....
And to think hes a hardcore, dyed in the wool democrat.”
If Barkley is a dyed in the wool democrat then he is an old timey one and not one corrupted by the left.
He used to be a Republican.
In 1995 was considering to run for governor of Alabama as a Republican. I was watching the Sunday morning talking heads when he announced it. I still remember being surprised.
The NBA approves what Chinese communists are doing.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EeMZ2c7UwAAoCWW.jpg
He used to be a Dittohead, at some point, but I guess he realized it wouldn't be good for his broadcasting career.
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