NBA Legend and Emmy-winning broadcaster Charles Barkley had a stain on his tie — and studio mate Kenny Smith wanted people to know why. “Can I tell the story?” Smith asked. “You got to now,” said Master of TNT Ceremonies Ernie Johnson. Turns out it wasn’t Barkley’s favorite Heinz 57 sauce (Barkley: “I put Heinz 57 on everything”) on his tie. Nope, that stain was Charles Barkley’s own salty tears. Smith had caught Barkley backstage before the show crying. What so moved Barkley that he wept?
The big man who had a take-no-prisoners reputation on the basketball court was crying over the happiness of three little kid singers. The kids had won a contest that allowed them to meet their hero Ariana Grande, and it was happening on the James Corden late night show in the same building where Barkley and company do their broadcast. Smith relays the tale: “He was crying because the kids met Ariana Grande, so those are tear stains.”
Barkley explains: “I did. I got emotional. I was watching James Corden and these three little kids, they won a talent show. I was excited for the little kids… I don’t have no problem being emotional.”
BBQ sauce? Ketchup? Tears?
What’s that on the tie, Chuck? 😂 pic.twitter.com/4aHGhPslBq
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2019
