7x Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is not someone who keeps his associations confined only to the NFL. The 46-year-old is a big fan of professional basketball. Aside from his minority stake in the WNBA team ?Las Vegas Aces?, Brady shares a close acquaintance with many former and current players, ranging from LeBron James to Michael Jordan. An NBA Hall of Famer recently opened up about the “casual friendship” he shares with Brady, the former being the same person who once called the NFL icon?“a pretty man”.

Former NBA star Charles Barkley has often displayed his affection for the New England Patriots legend. Now, the 11x NBA All-Star opened up about the relationship he shares with Brady.

Charles Barkley opens up about being “casual friends” with Tom Brady

Philadelphia 76ers legend Charles Barkley recently sat down for an interview on the ?SI Media with Jimmy Traina? podcast. Amongst the various topics discussed, the interviewer also touched upon Barkley?s friendship with NFL legend Tom Brady. Barkley would go on to state that the duo are ?casual friends? while emphasizing Brady?s greatness at the same time.

?Me and Tom are casual friends. He?s someone I really-really admire and really-really respect,? said Barkley during the interview. While talking about why he felt like this, Barkley brought up the name of an NHL icon in the conversation as well.

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?There?s very few ?GOATs? in sports. We know most of them. But Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky are the two nicest people I have ever met, who are the best to play their sport,? Barkley added.

Reflecting more on the football legend, Barkley recalled that he has been around Brady ?five to seven times? and has always been admiring how nice he was. Barkley?s comments about being “casual friends” with Tom Brady came a year after he was caught drooling over him.

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal were once ‘infatuated’ by the NFL Legend

Back in May 2022, a clip from ‘Inside the NBA‘ started to make the rounds of the internet. The talk kicked off by Ernie Johnson highlighting the ?infatuation? that both Shaquille O’Neal and Barkley had with Brady. This led to the latter explaining a moment that took place back when Shaq was hanging out with Tom Brady.

?Shaq came in the other night and said ?Man I gotta tell you something? I said what? He said ?I was out with Tom Brady the other night?? said Barkley, recollecting his and Shaq?s words. The latter’s remarks would later cause Sir Charles to say, ?You?re right. That?s a pretty man.??The?statement created ripples of laughter from across the room.

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One can?t blame Charles Barkley for getting infatuated with the former NFL Star. He wasn?t the first and he certainly won?t be the last.