Charles Barkley: a new apology before a new year

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Charles Barkley, the outspoken and popular member of TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’ studio show, was arrested early this morning in Scottsdale, Ariz., on a drunk driving charge.

Barkley immediately apologized for his actions in a statement.

What is charming about Charles Barkley is that he apologizes. Early and often.

What is confounding is that he has to apologize so early and often, as he did regarding his gambling debt.

Sometimes he is asked to apologize and doesn’t, as when he threw a guy through a window. And sometimes other athletes, such as Scottie Pippen, refuse to apologize for what they said about Charles.

Driving drunk, however, is something that TNT officials should worry about more than the gambling or Barkley’s outspoken honesty that brings the show high ratings and attention. Sometimes an apology shouldn’t be enough.

-- Diane Pucin