Charles Barkley’s 1 Mistake Cost Him Opportunity to Meet Iconic Member of the Beatles: “I Was Exhausted…”

It isn’t all too uncommon for NBA stars to also get Starstruck. While they’re as big as celebrities these days, they also happen to be fans. Even a man as proud as Charles Barkley isn’t afraid to reveal his disappointment over just missing out on a chance to meet one of music’s greatest minds. On the other hand, his co-host and recent Hall of Fame-elect Ernie Johnson had some insecurities during his interaction with a living legend. Coincidentally, however, both their interactions came at the gym.

Firstly, it was the Chuckster revealing his encounter. “When somebody’s trying to work out, don’t bug ’em.” So, working out and during a meal, got it. Barkley continued, “I was in LA one time, with my agent. We had shot, like, 3 or 4 days and I was exhausted. I said, ‘Imma take a nap before dinner.'”

Unfortunately, it was one costly nap for Chuck. “He goes to the gym, and Paul McCartney’s in there. We get to dinner, he says, ‘Paul McCartney was in the…’ I said, ‘Yo, man. Why didn’t you wake me up?’ He says, ‘You told me you wanted to take a nap.’ I said, ‘I did want to take a nap. But, I didn’t need a nap if Paul McCartney was gonna be in the gym.”

His hilarious anecdote brought one out from EJ as well. His, however, was far more embarrassing. “I was in the gym one day. Got into town, went down to the gym, and there were only two people in there. Me and…Arnold Schwarzenegger.” 

What followed was one hilarious “interaction” between the two.

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After Charles Barkley faced disappointment, how did EJ’s “meet” go?

Immediately after hearing who his gym partner for the day was, the Philadelphia 76ers legend couldn’t help but tease his long-term partner. “Y’all got the same body type.” Johnson would go on to explain his dilemma with the situation.

“I was afraid to even touch a weight. I was just like, ‘Is this guy going to be done anytime soon?” I don’t want him looking over at me when I got the executive dumbells, doin’ my curls. I just kind of stood around in the corner, stretched for about 45 minutes till he left.” 

Both Barkley and Ernie had a rather interesting case of celebrity fandom that they came down with. Unfortunately, due to their charm and camaraderie, one can only smile at their relative innocence and childlike wonder.

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