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'It’s a grown man sport, we’re soft!' Charles Barkley mocks Austin Rivers claiming 30 NBA players could play in NFL

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Joseph Varghese | Last updated 5/9/24

Former NBA player Austin Rivers was already in hot water from the moment he undermined NFL players. Greats of the game have come out and publicly criticized the former guard for his disparaging comments. Now it was the turn of a former NBA player.

That too a great one named Charles Barkley, who happens to know what it feels like to play football, even if it was for one day. He took the time he had while on Inside the NBA to call out Austin Rivers.

I gotta call out Austin Rivers. Austin Rivers, you know I love you. We can't play football. You do a great job, but for you to say that we got 30-40 NBA players who can go play in the NFL. Football is a grown man's sport. We're soft! Charles Barkley said

His colleague Shaquille O’Neal was countering him by saying that they could play in the NFL. However, Barkley stood his ground.

Charles Barkley always brings up his experience playing on the gridiron as a reference. He played the game for 1 day and then quit, as it was too difficult for him to play football. He often commends NFL players for playing and being great in the sport.

Chuck calls out Austin Rivers pic.twitter.com/uYF7HEJEBg
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2024

Barkley has always maintained that playing football and boxing are the two sports that require a certain level of toughness that NBA players do not have. Barkley echoed what NFL stars have said to Rivers since this bizarre claim.

Charles Barkley congratulates Candace Parker on her retirement

During today’s coverage of NBA games, the Inside the NBA crew decided to celebrate the incredible basketball career of Candace Parker. When the camera panned to Charles Barkley, he had a few words to say.

Thank God there's only one of her. Hey Candace, you're just an awesome person. Your accomplishments, damn, you have two pages. I just want to congratulate you on an amazing career. I'm proud of you. Charles Barkley said

Barkley added that what she has accomplished in her career, many NBA greats could not do that. Therefore, she is one of a kind.

"To be able to continue this next chapter, the goal is still the game: to grow the game."@Candace_Parker joins TNT after being named President of Adidas Women's Basketball pic.twitter.com/uxyAz1fxim
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2024

Candace Parker was truly a one-of-a-kind women’s basketball player. She was a two-time NCAA champion before moving to the WNBA. In the professional league, her biggest accomplishment was to win Rookie of the Year and the WNBA MVP in the same year. Since then, she has led the league in every statistical department except scoring at least once.

No wonder Barkley said that there is only one of her. Now she retires as a 3-time WNBA champion and will continue to work with the Inside the NBA crew.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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