Charles Barkley criticizes ‘losers’ who saw Monday’s unique solar eclipse
- The ‘Chuckster’ said he did not go outside to watch the rare astronomical event
- Fans were baffled by the ex-NBA star’s part arguing with other pundits
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Charles Barkley criticized people who went outside to observe the solar eclipse on Monday, describing them as “losers” during an epic rant during the halftime show of TBS’s NCAA Championship game.
The 61-year-old former Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets star wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts on the astronomical event, just hours after the solar eclipse returned to the US for the first time since 2017.
Clearly, he was much more interested in seeing another rare convergence of two enormous phenomena: the battle for centers between Purdue’s 7-foot-4 star Zach Edey and UConn’s 7-foot-2 Donovan Clingan.
“Were you all losers standing outside watching (the eclipse) today?” Chuck asked Ernie Johnson – the host of Monday’s halftime show – and other panelists, including Clark Kellogg, Kenny Smith and Jay Wright.
“They’re not losers,” Johnson shot back.
Charles Barkley said he couldn’t understand the hype surrounding Monday’s solar eclipse on TBS
The eclipse crossed the paths of 30 million Americans as it passed through 16 states
According to studies, the next solar eclipse in North America is predicted for 2044
‘Yes that are they. Hey, we’ve all seen darkness before. Stop it,” Barkley replied.
“Come on, Chuckster. Don’t hate the eclipse,” Johnson said. Moments later, he assumed Barkley – the MVP of the 1992-93 NBA season – was not a “fan.”
“Well, I’m not going to sit outside and wait in the dark like an idiot,” Chuck said. “I could have waited…it’s getting dark outside tonight!”
College basketball fans who tuned into TBS to watch this year’s NCAA Championship game had mixed reactions to the segment, with one user on
“I’m witch Chuck,” said another.
Someone else tweeted: “I agree with Chuck on his thoughts on the value of watching the solar eclipse, but he shouldn’t call people who have done so losers.”
Another person said, “Chuck has a way of cutting through bullshit. He always has.’
More than 30 million Americans live under the path of the total solar eclipse, when the moon’s shadow crossed the Mexico-Texas border around lunchtime before appearing in 15 other states. The solar eclipse is predicted to come to North America in 2044.