Charles Barkley didn’t break the mold, he bulldozed right through it. Standing at just 6’4.75″ (no, he wasn’t really 6’6″), Barkley dominated the paint like a 7-footer. Drafted 5th in the legendary 1984 class behind Jordan, Hakeem, and Stockton. But he was ahead of history’s expectations. He reinvented what a power forward could be. Eleven All-Star appearances, an MVP, and a Hall of Fame career later, Sir Charles proved greatness doesn’t come in standard sizes. However, that’s not all that Charles Barkley is.
Before anything, he is an outspoken advocate for Black communities. He has been pushing for what really matters. The need for more Black ownership and representation in major institutions, including professional sports, media, and corporate boards. Black folks owning teams and companies, not just working for them. Barkley has also donated millions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to support this cause. He has made significant contribution to one particular institution.
It is the Auburn University, Charles Barkley’s alma mater. Even after making multiple donations to the University for black student scholarships, he had announced something greater. According to AL.com, the former NBA star has revealed an update on his will, to leave a large sum of money designated for minority scholarships at Auburn University. He said “In my will, I am leaving Auburn five million,” the All-star disclosed. He further gave the reason “I’m going to change it to be just for scholarships for Black students. That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse.” Standing strong for the cause, he made this claim that gave millions of people a hope for the good.
However, recently Charles Barkley made a shocking comment, posted on the frontofficesports. It is a video clip of him reminding people that “There’s not a single person in the world who’s given more money to Auburn, legal or illegal, than me.” But what he continued to say was the real shocker “But, the notion that I’m gonna give them millions of dollars a year so Auburn can be good at football and basketball, that’s not gonna happen.” This statement of his has left us wondering if he had a change of heart, not for the better. If the claim he made about including his community in the will still stands?
The post Charles Barkley Makes Shocking Admission on Aid to Alma Mater Despite Future $5 Million Pledge appeared first on EssentiallySports.
