Charles Barkley used to complain about paying such a high amount in taxes until getting lectured by Bill Russell.
Barkley joined “The Axe Files with David Axelrod” for a recent interview. Barkley mostly talked politics in the interview, which included his tax story. Here’s a transcription of how the conversation went:
Russell pointed out to Barkley just how much tax money helps communities. He pointed out that tax money pays for public schools, police officers, and fire fighters who all help the community. That lecture helped change Barkley’s perspective, and now he says he considers it a blessing to be rich enough to be able to pay a higher amount in taxes.
Barkley cited Russell, Muhammad Ali and Moses Malone as the three sports figures who have had the most influence in his life. You can see why Russell qualifies. He has a social conscience and even said last year that he stood by the kneeling NFL players.
More must-reads: