Charles Barkley is once again smack dab in controversy for something he said and it didn’t appear he minced words on this one.
During a recent appearance on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” Charles made his case for why he believes professional athletes should cut the line to get vaccinated for covid-19, despite the fact that the nation currently prioritizes health care and essential workers as well as senior citizens who are at high risk for serious covid complications.
“We need 300 million shots … give a thousand to some NBA players, NFL players, hockey players,” Charles said on the show. “As much taxes as these players pay — let me repeat that — as much taxes as these players pay, they deserve some preferential treatment.”
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His fellow analyst Kenny Smith looked stunned by Charles’ statement, which Kenny followed with, “For life and death?” and Charles replied, “yes.”
Kenny, trying to make sense of Charles’ sentiments after he doubled down, tried to tell Charles that taxes are based on how much money you make, essentially suggesting that wealth is directly tied to the “preferential treatment.”
“I said taxes. I didn’t say the amount of money you make,” Charles said. “I said the amount of taxes these guys pay.”
“We can’t go there,” Kenny interjected. “I don’t think you can go there.”
Longtime host Ernie Johnson also took Charles to task for his statements, stressing that the older population and those at a higher risk should be given priority for getting vaccinated.
“A thousand shots to NBA players is not going to change the world,” Charles maintained.
You can watch the exchange below:
… Is Charles Barkley drunk? pic.twitter.com/RC2cKik5q6
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 15, 2021
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