NBA legend Charles Barkley says he would have punched Aaron Rodgers in the face if he happened to be in Jimmy Kimmel’s shoes.
Rodgers and Kimmel have reignited their feud in recent days after the Jets quarterback linked the host to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein’s list of associates.
During his appearance on the Pat McAfee show last week, Rodgers said, “There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, who are hoping that list doesn’t come to fruition.”
Kimmel, 56, had threatened to sue the four-time NFL MVP, accusing him of endangering his family. On Wednesday, Barkley was what he would have done if Rodgers had made these comments about him.
“I would have punched him in the face,” Barkley told Gayle King, host of CBS’ Talk of the Table. ‘What do you mean?’ King followed.
“You know what ‘hit him in the face’ means.” Barkley responded.
Charles Barkley said he would “slap Aaron Rodgers” if he were in Jimmy Kimmel’s shoes
The New York Jets quarterback linked late-night host Kimmel to the Jeffrey Epstein newspapers
Barkley then explained the implications of what Rodgers said about the late-night host.
“When you’re in the spotlight, people are allowed to say things about you — that comes with the territory,” Barkley said. “If you start saying ‘you hang out with pedophiles and have sex with underage girls’, then that is dangerous.”
After Barkley labeled Rodgers’ words “slander” and reiterated how he would have responded, King asked the NBA legend if he meant it metaphorically.
“I meant it rhetorically, whatever… hell yes, I would punch him in the face,” he replied.
Barkley emphasized that Rodgers was cordial whenever they saw each other. But he applauded Kimmel for his response to the quarterback’s comments.
Kimmel challenged Rodgers to press his claims in court before roasting Rodgers on his show
Kimmel opened his first show of 2024 by roasting Rodgers and calling him “hamster-brained” and accused him of having an “ego the size of a Thanksgiving Day parade.”
Ironically, Barkley talked about punching Rodgers in the face while an image on the screen read: ‘Draymond Green returns’
The Golden State Warriors forward has been reinstated after serving an indefinite suspension after hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic’s face in December.
“He crossed a line a few times,” Barkley said of Green. “But I think he’s a good guy, he’s a really good player and the NBA is better with Draymond in it.”