There’s no one in the sports world unaware of Charles Barkley. After his legendary NBA career, the 76ers icon joined TNT as an analyst. Needless to say, Chuck has gained even more fame from his role on Inside the NBA. Despite having an impressive network and a long tenure with the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned company, the NBA legend had to resort to desperate measures just to get a chance to meet another legendary sports star.

In a recent interview with The Phillies Show, Chuck revealed what he had to do to finally meet baseball legend Hank Aaron. He shared that his longtime friend Beth Marshall from the 76ers, became Aaron’s assistant, which Barkley saw as his opportunity. He flattered her to leverage his chance to meet the sports icon. 

“Aaron there’s a girl named Beth Marshall one of my great friends…Hank Aaron’s personal assistant. In his last few years of life, she set up a few meetings with him and it was like royalty because my admiration and respect for him,” Barkley said on The Phillies Show.

As a result, he was able to meet Aaron a few times. Barkley jokingly mentioned that he might need to flatter Marshall even more, as she has since landed a prestigious new job at a special place. He hinted that she now works at the Augusta National Golf Club. “Actually I got to kiss her a** a little bit, Jim, because she actually just got a job at Augusta National…I’mma be kissing her a**,” Barkley said.

Most people know how secretive Augusta National Golf Club is about its members. And more importantly, the club operates on an invitation-only membership process. Given Chuck’s passion for golf, it’s understandable why he is so excited about it.

Speaking of Aaron, Barkley previously heaped praise on another legend from Alabama.

Charles Barkley reminisced about the baseball legend, Willie Mays

Alabama is well known for its passion for football and baseball. It’s no wonder that Chuck, who hails from Leeds, Alabama, is a big fan of both late legends Aaron and Willie Mays, who also comes from Alabama. It’s uncertain whom he had to flatter this time or whether the Say Hey Kid was simply fond of Chuck, but the two met about ten times. Mays passed away on June 18, 2024.

The former Philadelphia 76ers legend fondly recalled his meetups with these legends. After the sudden passing of Mays, Chuck reminisced about the greatness that Mays brought to Alabama. “Most people don’t even know they were from Alabama. … When they talk about the greatest athletes from Alabama, he and Hank are right at the top of the list. But their greatness and humility are what separated them from anybody else,” Barkley said.

The Phoenix Suns legend referred to Aaron and Mays as “heroes” who fought to create more opportunities and brighter days for future athletes. And that’s what they truly were in every sense.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.