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, known for his rebounding and scoring prowess despite being shorter than most power forwards. Barkley's accolades include 11-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and the 1993 NBA MVP award. 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

1956: US Olympic Team Record

In 1956, the U.S. Olympic team set the record for averaging winning games by an average of 43.8 points, only surpassed by the 1956 U.S. Olympic team.

February 20, 1963: Charles Barkley's Birth

On February 20, 1963, Charles Wade Barkley was born. He later became a prominent American professional basketball player and television analyst.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Led Tigers to NCAA tournament

In 1984, Charles Barkley led the Auburn Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in school history.

1984: Named SEC Player of the Year

In 1984, Charles Barkley was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year while playing at Auburn University.

1989: Birth of Daughter Christiana

In 1989, Charles Barkley and his wife Maureen Blumhardt had their daughter, Christiana, named after the Christiana Mall in Delaware. She is now married with two children.

1989: Marriage to Maureen Blumhardt

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

1991: Wore number 32 to honor Magic Johnson

In the 1991-92 season, Charles Barkley wore number 32 in honor of Magic Johnson, who had announced he was HIV-positive.

1995: Considered Running for Alabama Governor

In 1995, Charles Barkley considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election.

1998: Possible Election Year

In 1995, Charles Barkley considered running as a Republican candidate for Alabama's governorship in the 1998 election.

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 expressed interest in potentially running for Governor of Alabama.

September 2006: Reiterated Desire to Run for Governor

In September 2006, Charles Barkley reiterated his desire to run for governor of Alabama, noting that he couldn't run until 2014 due to residency requirements.

2006: Advocacy for Gay Marriage

In 2006, Charles Barkley told Fox Sports he was 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.

September 2007: Bought House in Alabama for Residency Requirements

In September 2007, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a potential 2014 campaign for governor, also declaring himself an Independent.

October 2007: Accrual of Gambling Debt

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

2007: Race against Dick Bavetta

In 2007, during the NBA All-Star Weekend, Charles Barkley raced NBA official Dick Bavetta for charity, after joking about Bavetta's age. Barkley won the race, and the event raised money for charity.

2007: Gambling Losses Revealed

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

February 2008: Announced Run for Governor of Alabama

In February 2008, Charles Barkley announced that he would be running for Governor of Alabama in 2014 as an Independent.

May 2008: Wynn Las Vegas Casino Debt

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

October 27, 2008: Announced Candidacy for Governor of Alabama

On October 27, 2008, Charles Barkley officially announced his candidacy for Governor of Alabama in an interview with CNN, planning to run in the 2014 election cycle.

2008: Support for Barack Obama

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

November 24, 2009: Began Backing off Gubernatorial Run Idea

On November 24, 2009, Charles Barkley began to back off the idea of running for Governor of Alabama in a November 24, 2009 interview on The Jay Leno Show.

2010: Confirmed He Was Not Running in 2014

In 2010, Charles Barkley confirmed that he was not running for Governor of Alabama in 2014.

2011: Support for Homosexuality

During a 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day broadcast on TNT, Charles Barkley responded to Dr. King's daughter's statement by stating his love and support for homosexual people, emphasizing equality for all.

2013: Statement on Gay Players in the NBA

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."

2013: Expressed Agreement with Zimmerman Acquittal

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

2014: Comment on Russell Wilson Accusations

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.

2014: Possible Election Year

In September 2007, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a potential 2014 campaign for governor, also declaring himself an Independent.

August 2015: Announced Support for John Kasich

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

2016: Supported John Kasich for President

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

2019: Confirmed He Would Not Be Running for Office

On Lance Armstrong's podcast in 2019, Charles Barkley confirmed that he would not be running for office.

2021: Improved Golf Performance

In 2021, Charles Barkley had an improved performance in the American Century Championship after undergoing training to improve his golf swing.

2022: Vehement Support for the LGBT Community

In 2022, a video surfaced of Charles Barkley speaking at an event, making comments vehemently in favor of the LGBT community, expressing his love and support for gay and transgender individuals.

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, saying he would buy Bud Light for the crowd at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, and condemned the boycotters as "rednecks".