Charles Barkley dunks on homophobia after former Net Jason Collins' death
New York Daily News • • sports
Key Points:
- NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley honored former Nets center Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, who died from brain cancer on Tuesday.
- Barkley condemned homophobia during the "Inside the NBA" program, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes in sports.
- Collins came out as gay in 2013 and was the first openly gay male athlete to play professionally in a major U.S. sport the following year.
- Barkley highlighted that many professional athletes are likely gay but remain closeted due to societal homophobia, stressing the need for acceptance.
- He advised gay athletes to live authentically, asserting that their personal lives are nobody else’s business.