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NBA Hall Of Famer Defends Michael Sam And Brushes Aside Locker Room Worries
In a CNN interview, Charles Barkley repeats his call for gay marriage and thinks professional athletes are less homophobic than the general public
James Withers
When it comes to LGBTI equality, Charles Barkley has always been a vocal ally.
He supports same-sex marriage and has noted, multiple times, that when it comes to gay athletes all that matters is field performance.
The National Basketball Association Hall of Famer was interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer because Barkley had a televised conversation with US President Barack Obama during last weekend's NBA's All-Star Game.
Blitzer wondered why the TNT Sports analyst asked the president about gay rights.
He went on to defend University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam, and threw cold water on concerns about gay men in locker rooms.
'I think it's an insult to gay people to think that they are going to be looking at their teammates in a sexual way' the retired ball player said. 'That's an insult to all gay men. And we welcome them to the locker room, and I wish Mr. Sam the best.'
When asked if the NBA was ready for an out player, Barkley insisted the problem will be with the general public.
'I think they're going to be safe with their teammates. I think the public at large is more homophobic than guys in the locker room. I think we as players get a bad rap.'
Oh, and this will make you want to go buy his uniforms (for b-ball neophytes, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets): Barkley gave high marks for General Attorney Eric Holder's decision to extend more federal protections to same-sex married couples.
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"Fear Eats the Soul"
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