Childhood and Education Journey of Charles Barkley in Timeline

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Charles Barkley

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

Charles Barkley is a retired American professional basketball player and current television analyst. Known for his rebounding and scoring prowess despite being undersized for a power forward, he earned the nicknames "Sir Charles", "the Bread Truck", and "the Round Mound of Rebound." Barkley's NBA career spanned 16 seasons, during which he was an 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team member, and the 1993 NBA MVP. He was also recognized as one of the NBA's greatest players, earning spots on the league's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

February 20, 1963: Charles Barkley's Birth

On February 20, 1963, Charles Wade Barkley was born. He would go on to become a 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: SEC Player of the Year

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

1989: Marriage to Maureen Blumhardt

In 1989, Charles Barkley married Maureen Blumhardt. The couple resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.

1989: Birth of Daughter Christiana

In 1989, Charles Barkley's daughter, Christiana, was born. She was named after a mall in Delaware.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Honoring Magic Johnson

During 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.

1991: Collaboration on Autobiographical Work "Outrageous"

In 1991, Charles Barkley and sportswriter Roy S. Johnson collaborated on the autobiographical work "Outrageous". Due to editorial choices made by Johnson, Barkley famously quipped that he had been misquoted in his own autobiography.

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

1993: I am not a role model

In 1993, Charles Barkley's argument that athletes should not be considered role models prompted national news when he wrote the text for his "I am not a role model" Nike commercial, sparking debate and commentary from figures like Dan Quayle.

1995: Considered Running for Governor of Alabama as Republican

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

1998: Considered Running for Governor of Alabama in the 1998 election.

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

2000: Foreword for Rick Reilly's Book

In 2000, Charles Barkley wrote the foreword for Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly's book "The Life of Reilly". In the foreword, Barkley humorously stated that Reilly wasn't someone he'd want to throw through a plate glass window.

Life of Reilly
Life of Reilly

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
I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It

July 2006: Considered Running for Governor of Alabama

At a July 2006 meeting of the Southern Regional Conference, Charles Barkley lent credence to the idea of 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: Expressed Support for Gay Marriage

In 2006, Charles Barkley told Fox Sports that he supported 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 and Declared Independence

In September 2007, during a broadcast on Monday Night Football, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a 2014 campaign for governor and declared himself an Independent.

October 2007: Gambling Debt at Wynn Las Vegas

In October 2007, Charles Barkley accumulated a $400,000 gambling 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 at NBA All-Star Weekend

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

2007: Revealed Gambling Losses

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

February 2008: Announced Run for Governor of Alabama in 2014

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 Filed Civil Complaint

In May 2008, the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a civil complaint against Charles Barkley, alleging that he failed to pay a $400,000 debt stemming from gambling losses in October 2007. Barkley promptly repaid the debt.

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: Supported Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

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

December 31, 2008: Arrest for DUI in Scottsdale, Arizona

On December 31, 2008, Charles Barkley was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, for drunk driving after being pulled over for running a stop sign. He failed field sobriety tests, refused a breath test but had a blood test, and was later charged with DUI-related counts and running a red light. His blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit in Arizona. He was cooperative during the arrest.

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 addressed the incident and his experiences during the first segment of the NBA pregame show. T-Mobile also resumed airing ads featuring Barkley around this time.

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 during an interview on The Jay Leno Show.

2010: Confirmed Not Running in 2014

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

2011: Expressed Support for Homosexuals

During a 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day double-header on TNT, Charles Barkley expressed his support for homosexuals and equality for every man and woman.

2011: Spokesman for WeightWatchers

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

November 2012: Contemplated Retirement from Broadcasting

In November 2012, Charles Barkley announced that he was contemplating retirement from broadcasting, after 13 years, stating he needed to find the next challenge for him.

2013: Expressed Agreement with Acquittal of George Zimmerman

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

2013: Commented on Jason Collins Coming Out

In 2013, in response to Celtics player Jason Collins coming out, Charles Barkley stated that anyone who thinks they never played with a gay player is an idiot.

2014: Commented on Accusation 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.

2014: Mention of 2014 Campaign for Governor

In September 2007, during a broadcast on Monday Night Football, Charles Barkley announced that he bought a house in Alabama to satisfy residency requirements for a 2014 campaign for governor.

2014: Planned 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.

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: Early criticism of Donald Trump.

As early as 2016, during the U.S. presidential election, Charles Barkley criticized Donald Trump's words and messages, expressing disgust before Trump even won the Republican primaries.

2016: Supported John Kasich in the 2016 presidential election.

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

August 2017: Response to Confederate monument controversy.

In August 2017, in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of Confederate monuments after the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Charles Barkley shared his perspective on the situation.

September 2017: Criticism of President Trump's stance on Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

In September 2017, Charles Barkley voiced his disappointment in President Trump for calling out Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, for kneeling during the U.S. National Anthem during the 2016 NFL season. It's worth noting that Barkley has also stated that he does not support athletes kneeling during the National Anthem as a form of protest.

December 2017: Mocking President Trump's Tax Bill

In December 2017, Charles Barkley satirized President Trump's tax bill, suggesting it primarily benefited the wealthy at the expense of the poor.

2017: Support for Doug Jones in Alabama Senate Election.

In 2017, Charles Barkley supported Democrat Doug Jones in the United States Senate special election in Alabama. During Alabama's Senate election, Barkley argued that Jones' competitor, Roy Moore, should have been disqualified due to his association with a white separatist.

2019: Optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble

In 2019, Charles Barkley expressed optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble, but worried about some players testing positive for COVID-19.

2019: Confirmed He Would Not Run for Office

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

2020: Concern about Sports Becoming Too Political

In 2020, Charles Barkley expressed concern that sports were becoming excessively political, stating that it risked becoming a circus and alienating viewers seeking entertainment.

2020: Views on School Safety and NBA Restart During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles Barkley expressed concern about the safety of children returning to school, but also worried that keeping children at home would widen the gap between rich and poor. He expressed optimism about the NBA's planned restart to the 2019-2020 season in the NBA bubble, but worried about some players testing positive for COVID-19.

2020: Views on Defunding the Police and the Breonna Taylor Case

In 2020, while supporting police and prison reforms, Charles Barkley spoke out against defunding the police, questioning who Black people would call for help otherwise. After Breonna Taylor's death, Barkley acknowledged the tragedy but highlighted that her boyfriend shot at the police, differentiating her case from those of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

2021: Improved Performance at American Century Championship

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

2022: Expressed Vehement Support for 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, stating "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, condemning the boycotters as "rednecks."

June 2024: Announced Intention to Retire from Television

In June 2024, Charles Barkley announced his intention to retire from television after the 2024–25 NBA season, but later reversed this decision in August, deciding to stay with TNT Sports.