NFL

Charles Barkley says he turned down Monday Night Football role

Published by
Brad Sullivan

NBA legend Charles Barkley noted during a podcast rant that he was once offered the opportunity to be a part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football’s weekly broadcast.

Barkley, an NBA analyst for TNT, casually noted the job offer (at the 20-second mark) on “The Jim Brockmire Podcast” during a profane rant about Twitter users.

“I only comment on basketball,” Barkley said. “Like they offered me Monday Night Football. I says, I like football, but I ain’t gonna be one of these jackasses get on TV and act like he know about football.”

The quotable Barkley has sparked plenty of controversy both during and after his Hall of Fame NBA career, due to his unfiltered opinions.

ESPN has long been a network that has looked for commentators that can draw attention and its sizable investment in broadcasting Monday Night Football helps explain its interest in Barkley.

However, as Barkley himself noted, his level of knowledge about football is limited to his being a fan of the game. His honesty in admitting that his credibility would be questioned is just another example of his brutal honesty.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

3 mins ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

23 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago