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via Getty

via Getty

Charles Barkley has been entertaining the NBA world for decades now. Sir Charles, who started as an undersized forward, went on to have a Hall of Fame career and a stellar two-decade broadcasting run following that. Needless to say, the Phoenix Suns legend has come a long way from the streets of Leeds, Alabama. However, in his storied journey, the former MVP has witnessed various facets of society influencing his larger-than-life personality. Among the many hobbies of the 11x All-Star, fishing takes him back to simpler times.

Though Chuck hates eating fish, he has never shied away from a pleasant fishing session with a couple of beers under the sun on the lakeside. However, though fishing is a recreational activity for the $60 million worth Barkley, once upon a time, it was a necessity to put bread on the table.

Charles Barkley reveals his humble beginnings

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Before all the fame and wealth, Charles Barkley had humble beginnings in Leeds, Alabama. Because his parents split up after his birth, Barkley was raised by his grandmother and mother, alongside his brothers. Moreover, his grandmother and mother had to take up menial jobs to make ends meet. However, it still wasn’t enough to provide for Barkley and his brothers. Thus they had to settle for fishing to earn those extra dollars.?

The Hall of Famer issued a heartfelt recollection of those simpler times in the latest episode of the Steam Room. In one of the episode segments, Barkley and his co-host Ernie Johnson responded to calls from the fans tuning in. Likewise, while responding to a call from Wisconsin, Barkley harped on his storied past with fishing. He also reflected on the circumstances of when he picked up fishing.?

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The 1993 MVP recalled, “So growing up to make ends meet, my grandmother went fishing probably three or four days a week because it was me and my brothers and my mom so obviously my mom was a maid and my grandma worked at the meat factory so we had to supplement with fishing.” Brim, bass, and catfish were some varieties the Suns star remembers fishing from that time.?

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Following the candid reveal of his storied past and how he started fishing, Barkley then harped on why he wasn’t a fan of Deep sea fishing and how fishing has evolved into a treasured pass time activity for him. Moreover, he once stated that he wanted to die either fishing or golfing and not on TV.