Childhood and Education Journey of Charles Barkley in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Charles Barkley. A timeline of key moments.

Charles Barkley, nicknamed "Sir Charles", is a retired American professional basketball player and current television analyst. He played 16 seasons in the NBA, primarily as a power forward, despite being shorter than average for the position. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess, Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and the 1993 NBA MVP. He was also named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greats.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

February 20, 1963: Charles Barkley Born

On February 20, 1963, Charles Wade Barkley was born. He later became a professional basketball player and a television analyst for TNT and CBS Sports.

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1984: Led Auburn to First NCAA Tournament

In 1984, Charles Barkley led the Auburn Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history, finishing with 23 points and 17 rebounds in the game.

1984: SEC Player of the Year

In 1984, Charles Barkley received the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year award during his college career at Auburn University.

1989: Marriage to Maureen Blumhardt

In 1989, Charles Barkley married Maureen Blumhardt, whom he reportedly met in the mid to late 1980s when he was playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.

1989: Birth of daughter Christiana

In 1989, Charles Barkley's daughter Christiana was born. Barkley said she was named after a mall called Christiana Mall in Delaware.

1991: Collaboration on autobiography 'Outrageous'

In 1991, Charles Barkley collaborated with sportswriter Roy S. Johnson on his autobiographical work, 'Outrageous'. The editorial choices led Barkley to quip that he was misquoted in his own autobiography.

Outrageous!: The Fine Life and Flagrant Good Times of Basketball's Irresistible Force

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1991: Wore Number 32 to Honor Magic Johnson

In the 1991-92 season, Charles Barkley wore number 32 instead of his usual 34 to honor Magic Johnson, who had announced he was HIV-positive. He also apologized for making light of Johnson's condition and responded to concerns about contracting HIV by contact during games.

1993: First time hosting 'Saturday Night Live'

Charles Barkley hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time in 1993.

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1996: Appearance in the film 'Space Jam'

In 1996, Charles Barkley played himself in the film 'Space Jam'.

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December 8, 1999: Quadriceps Tendon Rupture

On December 8, 1999, Charles Barkley's season and career seemingly ended prematurely at the age of 36 after rupturing his left quadriceps tendon in a game in Philadelphia.

2000: Foreword for 'The Life of Reilly'

In 2000, Charles Barkley wrote the foreword for Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's book 'The Life of Reilly', where he humorously commented on throwing Reilly through a plate glass window.

Life of Reilly

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2002: Release of the book 'I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It'

In 2002, Charles Barkley released the book 'I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It', which included editing and commentary by Michael Wilbon.

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

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July 2006: Considered running for Governor of Alabama

At a July 2006 meeting of the Southern Regional Conference of the National School Boards Association in Destin, Florida, Charles Barkley lent credence to the idea of running for Governor of Alabama.

2006: Advocated for gay marriage

In 2006, Charles Barkley told Fox Sports that he is a big advocate of gay marriage, stating "If they want to get married, God bless them."

July 2007: Declared support for Barack Obama

In July 2007, Charles Barkley made a video declaring his support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

October 2007: Casino Debt

In October 2007, Charles Barkley incurred a $400,000 debt at Wynn Las Vegas casino, which led to a civil complaint filed against him in May 2008 for failure to pay.

2007: Race against Dick Bavetta at NBA All-Star Weekend

In 2007, Charles Barkley challenged NBA official Dick Bavetta to a footrace at the NBA All-Star Weekend for $5,000, which was donated to charity, with the NBA and TNT contributing additional funds; Barkley won the race and kissed Bavetta in a show of good sportsmanship.

2007: Gambling losses revealed

In a 2007 interview with ESPN's Trey Wingo, Charles Barkley revealed that he had lost approximately $10 million through gambling, including $2.5 million "in a six-hour period" while playing blackjack.

May 2008: Wynn Las Vegas casino lawsuit

In May 2008, the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a civil complaint against Charles Barkley, alleging he failed to pay a $400,000 debt stemming from October 2007; Barkley promptly paid the casino and vowed to stop gambling for a year or two.

2008: Declared support for Barack Obama

In July 2007, Charles Barkley made a video declaring his support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

February 19, 2009: Return to TNT after DUI hiatus

On February 19, 2009, Charles Barkley returned to TNT after taking a two-month hiatus following his DUI arrest. He discussed the incident and his experiences during the first segment of the NBA pregame show.

2011: Expressed support for LGBTQ+ equality on MLK Day

During a 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day double-header on TNT, Charles Barkley responded to a statement made by Dr. King's daughter Bernice, by saying, "People try to make it about black and white. [But] he talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now, people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexuality people. God bless the gay people. They are great people."

2011: Spokesman for WeightWatchers

In 2011, Charles Barkley became a spokesman for WeightWatchers, promoting their "Lose Like a Man" program and appearing in television and online ads.

2013: Expressed agreement with George Zimmerman's acquittal

In 2013, Charles Barkley expressed his agreement with the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin shooting.

2013: Stated he believed everyone played with a gay player

In 2013, in response to Celtics player Jason Collins coming out, Charles Barkley stated, “I think anybody who thinks they never played with a gay player is an idiot."

2014: Commented on accusations against Russell Wilson

In 2014, Charles Barkley was asked about the rumor that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was being accused for not being "black enough" on the radio show Afternoons with Anthony and Rob Ellis.

August 2015: Supported John Kasich in presidential election

In August 2015, Charles Barkley announced his support for Republican John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election.

2016: Supported John Kasich in presidential election

In August 2015, Charles Barkley announced his support for Republican John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election.

2018: Fourth time hosting 'Saturday Night Live'

Charles Barkley hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the fourth time in 2018.

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2019: Appearance on 'The Goldbergs'

In 2019, Charles Barkley appeared in "The Piña Colada Song" episode of 'The Goldbergs' as a gym teacher and alien conspiracy theorist.

2021: Improved performance at American Century Championship

In 2021, after undergoing training to improve his golf swing, Charles Barkley demonstrated improved performance at the American Century Championship pro-am tournament.

2022: Expressed vehement support for the LGBT community

In 2022, a video surfaced of Charles Barkley speaking at an event where he made comments vehemently in favor of the LGBT community: "I want to say this. If you're gay and transgender, I love you. And if anybody gives you sh-t, you tell them Charles said 'f--k you.'"

2023: Spoke out against Bud Light boycott

In 2023, Charles Barkley spoke out against the Bud Light boycott in the United States, mainly by conservatives who oppose the brand's endorsements by transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney; he said that he would buy Bud Light for the crowd at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, and condemned the boycotters as "rednecks".