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Left: 980212 Winter Olympics 1998, Ice hockey, Eishockey Wayne Gretzky of Canada during training at The Winter Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS on February 12, 1998 in Nagano, Japan. BILDBYRAN PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: PETERxKR?GER BB980212PK001 Right: February 7, 2021, Tampa, FL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady gets fired up on the field before Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Tampa – ZUMAm67_ 20210207_zaf_m67_094 Copyright: xTravisxHeyingx
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Left: 980212 Winter Olympics 1998, Ice hockey, Eishockey Wayne Gretzky of Canada during training at The Winter Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS on February 12, 1998 in Nagano, Japan. BILDBYRAN PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: PETERxKR?GER BB980212PK001 Right: February 7, 2021, Tampa, FL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady gets fired up on the field before Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Tampa – ZUMAm67_ 20210207_zaf_m67_094 Copyright: xTravisxHeyingx
In 2021, when “good friends” Wayne Gretzky and Charles Barkley joined for a podcast episode, the fans got to see their candid side. As the American former professional basketball player joined the panel, he went all out. Not holding himself back, Charles was heard praising friend Wayne and NFL star player Tom Brady.
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Charles shared his thoughts on Wayne and Brady
Passing the sporting legends, in the 2021 podcast ‘The Steam Room’ Charles Barkley commented, “Wayne and Brady are two of the most Humble GOATs superstars that have been around.” Sharing thoughts about how other people perceive the two sporting giants, the former basketball player said people talk about the two in the same way.
Acknowledging them for their humble attitude, Charles revealed, “They go out of their way to help the guys, and that’s a very honorable trait.” For those unversed, Charles, a former NBA player, now works as a television analyst on TNT.
As a matter of fact, he was the one who played an instrumental role in inspiring Wayne to join the TNT broadcast team as an analyst for the 2021-22 NHL season. Had the words of encouragement not come from the popular TNT commentator, then perhaps longtime friend Wayne might not have taken up the part.
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How did Charles Barkley inspire Wayne Gretzky to step into new shoes?
As The Great One remained contemplated, Charles called him “every single day” to remind “this will be fun for you.” Encouraged by Charles’ constant motivation, Wayne finally decided to try something new. Over the years, TNT has provided a platform for retired players to join the broadcast booth and stay in touch with sports.
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Former NHL player Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers looks on from the draft table during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019, in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
Even before Wayne and Charles joined the team, Shaquille O’Neal also tried his hands there. Though they initially struggled with the new role, with time, they gelled into the transition. Following the tradition, Wayne, too, flourished in the sport’s media. Before joining the TNT team, the NHL star resigned from his role as the vice-chairman of the Edmonton Oilers.
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What do you think of Charles’ opinion of Gretzky and Brady? Are they the real GOATs? Let us know in the comments.
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