Charles Barkley isn’t pleased with his home state’s response to Donald Trump's speech condemning NFL players who kneel during the national anthem. Barkley, who was born and raised in Alabama, completing his college career with the state’s Auburn University program before moving on to the NBA, went on NFL Today on CBS to express his sentiments on the ordeal.
"The president of the United States should never use the word SOB,” explained the 11-time All-Star. “That's just 100 percent inappropriate. I'm embarrassed because he said the speech in Alabama and got a rousing reception when he said those things. So, it hurts me that those ignorant folks in Alabama would applaud something so stupid."
Barkley’s remarks on Sunday arrived a day after he also spoke out on the controversy brewing over President Trump’s withdrawal of the traditional invitation to the White House from the 2017 NBA champion Steph Curry. It was on Friday that the point guard told reporters that he’d made the decision to excuse himself from the visit in an effort to take a stand against Donald Trump and his controversial stances and actions.
Trump tweeted out the next day that he’d rescinded the invite from Curry because of “hesitation” in response.
“I think it’s really unfortunate. I think that it’s an honor and a privilege to go to the White House no matter who the president is,” Chuck said during an interview with NBA TV on Saturday. “I felt it would have been an opportunity for those guys to sit down and talk to the president about some of the issues and concern they had. If I got a chance to sit with the president I’d say ‘We’re all concerned about police brutality. I’m concerned about DACA.’ They could have negotiated a sit-down.” “It’s just really sad to be honest with you,” he added. “When guys start not going to White House because they don’t like who the president is, I think that sets a bad precedent.”
Following President Trumps remarks on Friday, NFL Sunday was met with an onslaught of silent protests from players, owners, and coaches during the national anthem as many opted to take a knee, take a seat, or lock arms in solidarity with the right to protest.