Charles Barkley’s Path in Basketball: The Allure of Football at Auburn
On a memorable afternoon in Auburn, Alabama, former NBA star Charles Barkley was seen engaging with fans before the highly anticipated matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2017.
Barkley, standing at 6-foot-6, carved out an illustrious career in the NBA as a power forward despite being regarded as undersized. However, his journey to basketball stardom began at Auburn University, where he quickly made a name for himself. In an interesting revelation, Barkley confessed that he nearly pursued a football career during his college years, with renowned coach Pat Dye actively seeking to recruit him for the football team.
Recollecting his thoughts during an interview with Tim Green on the show ‘Nothing Left Unsaid,’ Barkley hinted at his readiness to make a switch should his basketball aspirations falter. He set an ultimatum for himself, stating that if his freshman basketball season did not yield success, he would reevaluate and potentially try out for the football team. Despite his earlier apprehensions about playing on the defensive line, Dye suggested he explore the tight end position instead.
“He says, ‘What about tight end?’ I was hesitant but ultimately decided to focus on basketball first,” Barkley explained. “If I didn’t have success as a freshman, I might consider football again. But luckily, I had a strong freshman year.”
Indeed, Barkley’s first year on the hardwood was nothing short of impressive. He thrived with the Auburn Tigers, leading his conference in rebounding for three consecutive years, which earned him the nickname “The Round Mound of Rebound.” His accolades included being named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1984 and securing three All-SEC selections, along with Second Team and Third Team All-American honors.
These achievements significantly elevated his draft prospects, culminating in his selection as the 5th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft.
However, Barkley’s hesitance towards football wasn’t merely a result of college circumstances; he had previously attempted to play in high school, a decision he later deemed as unwise. Having endured immense soreness after his initial practice, he quickly decided it was not for him. “I remember sitting there, feeling pain all over, and after the coach announced practice for the following day, I firmly stated, ‘I’m not doing this tomorrow!’ I told him, ‘Coach, this is the stupidest decision I’ve ever made in my life.'”
In hindsight, basketball’s gain has been football’s loss, as Barkley’s choice to focus on basketball not only shaped his career but also led him to become one of the most celebrated sports analysts of our time.
