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Note by Celebitchy: I asked Quimby to write this sweet story about Charles Barkley auctioning off his memorabilia to create affordable housing in Alabama. At the start of his interview with Colbert, he was asked how coronavirus was affecting his life. He said “not at all, unfortunately some people have passed away and some people are sick but you can’t stop living your life.” That’s in the interview below if you want to see it. He was also skeptical of fans not being able to come to basketball games. “Are they not going to go to work? Are they not going to go out to have dinner and things like that? You can’t stop living. Just not coming to a basketball game… that’s not going to solve all the issues.” He also said that the crowd and fans are important to players and give them an energy boost.
Last night, Barkley called in to Inside the NBA on TNT and revealed that he’s been feeling sick. He has been tested for COVID 19 and has self quarantined for 48 hours as he waits for his test results. I will update this story once we learn more about his condition.
Kaiser said that this is the darkest timeline, and I was thinking something similar yesterday morning. I didn’t bother to watch Trump’s speech Wednesday night because I knew it would be a disaster and give me agita. So, covering this story made me feel slightly better: Charles Barkley told Stephen Colbert that he is selling a lot of of his memorabilia, including one of his Olympic medals, in order to help out residents in his hometown:
Earlier this month, the NBA Hall of Famer and sports commentator, 57, announced that he intends to clear his stock of athletic memorabilia for auction, with the proceeds going toward constructing affordable housing in his hometown of Leeds, Alabama.
According to CNN, Barkley is selling his 1996 Olympic gold medal (he also earned one in the 1992 games, which he’s saving for his daughter to keep), his 1993 NBA MVP trophy, among other accolades and items from his storied career.
On Tuesday, Barkley explained why he’s “getting rid of all the crap trophies” he’s ever won while visiting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, saying that his small hometown is in need of about 30 new houses.
“I’ve got a bunch of good stuff I’m gonna sell,” he told host Colbert, 55. “Man, it’s just clutter.”
He added: “You know, I tell people, when I’m 70 I can’t be saying, ‘Hey guys, come over and look at my trophies’ — I’m not that crazy.”
That’s such a wonderful gesture: some lucky fans (with deep pockets) will be able to own Charles Barkley’s trophies and some residents in Leeds will have safe, comfortable homes. I go through periods where I get rid of stuff that I don’t need or want anymore, and it feels great. Charles is being practical, and he’s right: It’s not like he’s going to invite people over to look at his trophies. After years of having them, I’m sure they are just taking up space. By selling them, everyone benefits: He has less clutter, the people who are lucky enough to be able to afford what he’s selling will hopefully appreciate having it, and, most importantly, people who need affordable housing will have it.
I disagree with his coronavirus take, though. I understand his point about how you need to live your life, but it seems like he’s downplaying how serious the problem is, and how much worse it could get thanks to how inept the current administration is and how damn thoughtless people are. Many of my friends work at universities and are now having to move their courses online. I’m in an area where we’ve started to work mostly remotely. It’s convenient, but it’s also really unnerving, and on the days that I have to commute, I’m going to work off-hours to try to avoid larger crowds of people, because I have no idea whether the person next to me might be sick. I’ve been thinking about how many people I incidentally come into contact with on a daily basis. It’s a pretty high number. I’m trying not to panic, of course, but I’d be lying if I said I was completely fine. I’d be careless to not attempt to take reasonable precautions, so I wouldn’t walk into an arena full of a few thousand people right now.
Yeah his thoughts on coronavirus were a bit of a trainwreck. We watch Colbert the next day (I cant stay up until 1130, #old) so we watched it around the time the Jazz game was canceled for coronavirus, and then later that night the NBA season was suspended.
I’m not going to stop “living my life” but I am going to be more aware of where I go and why. I’m in Maryland and our schools are now closed for 2 weeks, I’m not sure if my agency will go to FT telework or not (they should)- I’ve actually been pretty pleased with our governor’s response. It’s not going to be fun, and I’m going to leave my house over the next two weeks, but I’m not going to the mall unless I have to for some reason, etc.
ETA – but I love the part about auctioning his memorabilia. That’s a nice thing to do and I like that he is doing it now, not waiting 10 or 20 years.
What really bothers me (and I will vent) are the ones who are so flippant or nonchalant about the virus and how the public is reacting to it. And YET when they get sick — and for some reason in a country where testing is not widely available to the public — they have ready access to it — people like Gobert, Barkley, Gaetz, etc. There are thousands of Americans who are NOT millionaires, basketball players, or celebrities who are sick and self-quarantined with no access to care and tests. And if they’re sick, they can’t work, and if they don’t work, they don’t get paid. Some are in my neighborhood. So fed up with all of this and the CDC, the Trump Administration and every agency that has failed the American people in this crisis. Even during the hearings, some of them were dismissive of South Korea’s “drive-through testing” scheme. Are you fricken kidding me? It’s working for South Korea. They have a better handle on this pandemic than we do. We cannot get a handle on this situation if we don’t have all the facts and right now, we don’t even know how many people are affected. And if we don’t know how many people are affected, we will continue to see people acting out in mass hysteria. Rant over.
Yep, there’s already a toilet paper scarcity in Mobile and we don’t even have any confirmed cases in Alabama. When it does hit, lock the door, Nelly. We already rate as one of the unhealthiest states-obesity, diabetes, infant mortality, you name it. And the Rethugs who control EVERY statewide office refuse to expand Medicaid. But they can thump those Bibles harder than anyone else. Pray it away!
This is something that makes me so angry. I keep reading articles about normal people who have symptoms, who have to go to the ER or their doctor’s office because they’re so sick, who test negative for flu, and who want to be tested for Coronavirus, and they’re denied a test. So how is it that it seems like every single celebrity, pro sports player, and politician is able to be tested?
And why was Mr. Charles “Self Quarantine” Barkley in an Atlanta Publix buying soup last night?
What?! Did you see him or read it?
A friend saw him. He was wearing a mask, at least?
I’ve heard Publix’s soup is legendary.
I love Publix.
My family planned a four day trip to Chicago next month which was to include a Cubs game, theatre and a college visit. I haven’t cancelled, although there will be no baseball and the uni is sure to be closed. I just can’t get myself to cancel yet because it was to be our only vacation this year and the kids and I are looking forward to it. My husband wants to cancel but I can’t deal with the disappointment yet. Our schools are still open but I feel like everything is going to change in a few days. I waited on line for a ridiculous amount of time yesterday to pick up about 5 items. People were stocking up like a category 5 hurricane is on its way and it’s very unsettling.
I just cancelled a trip I had really been looking forward to. It was really hard and I was disappointed. But I am really glad I did. I don’t think I would have enjoyed myself. And we have to flatten the curve of infection. I am so scared for my mom and grandma. I did it for people like them
I adore Barkley, always have. but I always consider any statement he makes in the context of one statement he made decades ago: “I’m not a role model. Just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” For advice on viruses, we should look to virologists, not former basketball players, no matter how wonderful they may be when reaching out to help others. And another sage bit of advice from Barkley, “VOTE!”
Agree!!
He used to say he’d run for governor of Alabama one day. He’d be an improvement over the wretched clowns we’ve had for decades, imo. Of course, if he’s still a Republican I couldn’t vote for him.
I own a sandwich shop & interact with large amounts of people on a daily basis. Insurance does not cover our losses if we close for 2 weeks & any type of aid package the government MIGHT offer doesn’t have me feeling very optimistic. Remember the aid the government gave farmers? Large amounts went to the big dogs like Dole & their affiliates and the scraps that remained went to independent farmers. I have no faith in our government. Small businesses that operate on small margins are going to get clobbered.
Jaylee, I feel for you and all the small independent shops. <3 <3 If we don't support our favorite neighborhood businesses, we might lose them! It's possible to get stock-ups from small corner shops, and can also possible to arrange directly with local restaurants or shops for closed-door-drop-off delivery orders.
A friend of mine also suggested that any small businesses that offer gift certificates, you can purchase one now so they have the cash on hand now, and use the certificate once the curve flattens and people start going out again. I thought it was a pretty good idea, and hopefully it helps?
I work in healthcare. We don’t stop living our lives for this either. We’ve been told if an infected patient shows up just throw on an isolation gown and mask up. We will all probably get it at some point, the panic won’t change that. Just look out for the elderly and immunocompromised while you live your lives. And stop buying all the toilet paper and detergent! You aren’t leaving any for the poor little old lady I saw trying to get necessities at the store. People are acting insane and selfish.
Although I know normal people travel too, politicians, millionaires, professional sports players, celebrities, etc. are among the most well-traveled people on the planet. These people’s lifestyle puts them in contact with people just like them, who also travel all over the world, and so far it seems they are a high risk for contracting COVID-19, and importantly to spread it too. They have so much privilege and a huge public platform, and they also have a personal, ethical responsibility to be cautious about their behaviours, not to go spreading bad information far and wide.
http://www.flattenthecurve.com
he’s wrong, we definitely have to increase SOCIAL DISTANCING and take the (hopefully) s/t economic pain so that we slow the virus down. It’s here. It’s not going to “miraculously” go away, President Dummy. We can blunt the lethality if we slow the spread enough to give our healthcare system the time it needs to treat people who will need the most intervention.
We all have to do our part!
I can’t STAND Barkley…and this is one of the MANY…MANY…MANY…MANY…reasons why…
Common sense, people.
Ffs. Trump is an idiot.
If his handling (fumbling, worthless) response to this public health alert does not cost him the re-election and put Anyone but him, in as POTUS….I can not believe this Trump Tool.
Ffs, Trumps is a complete idiot, if he can not come up with a plan, use the powers of his office and call in teams of scientists, health care professional, etc. use their expertise and get outta the way. rant over, for now.
And even if you are fit and well and therefore unlikely to have serious issues if you do get it, how many other potentially much higher risk people might you pass it to before you even realise you’re sick? Don’t panic, but do be thoughtful.
We decided last night to postpone my parents’ 50th anniversary party scheduled for late-March. My dad was devastated. My mom has mid-stage Alzheimer’s and seems like she really going downhill fast. This party was a way to bring together their old friends for a celebration, and in a way, let them see my mom one last time before she doesn’t know all of us. I told my dad, though, I would hate to hold this party and kill off his circle of friends, especially since most of them are elderly and infirmed. I’m in California and while we have a few confirmed cases, we don’t have the numbers that Washington and other impacted states have at this point.
I’m sorry Noodle. I hope this all passes and you’re able to have the party while your mom can still enjoy it. A friend of mine is dealing with the same thing with her mom, and it’s been very difficult. Virtual hugs to you.
I’m sorry too. Hope you will be able to reschedule the party. At this time i feel very sorry for the elderly. Hugs to you and prayers to your parents and their friends.
The affordable housing project is great! I hope it’s very successful.
His coronavirus thoughts, no so much. People with no medical knowledge need to stop giving advice! Every expert is saying NO, we cannot live our lives as normal right now.
Interesting that he was able to get tested so quickly…
This may have been a factor in Colbert shutting down his show a week early: possible exposure?
No, you shouldn’t go about your life as normal. You shouldn’t gather in large crowds. You shouldn’t travel unless absolutely necessary. Taking these restrictive measures now will help flatten the curve sooner. My God, this man is an idiot. And of course he ended up sick. When that Karma bus kicks into high gear, it comes fast and doesn’t hit the brakes.