Several years ago, Charles Barkley told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that he doesn’t wear underwear because they “were unnecessary for space in the house.” I had forgotten all about that lore until this week when it came back up again this week thanks to Charles’ appearance on Peyton and Eli Manning’s podcast, Manningcast. This time, he gave us a lot more detail about his unconventional fashion preference. Peyton asked him if certain rumors were true. As it turns out, Chuck has been underwear-free for a good 30 years. He was so serious about #CommandoLife that he burned all of his underwear and has never looked back.
“Yeah, I realized that underwear was not a necessity,” Charles, 62, explained in the Nov. 3 episode of the Manningcast podcast. “I burned all of my underwear about 30 years ago. It was a big fire, too. I’m always going commando.”
But despite his confession, hosts Peyton Manning and Eli Manning decided to give the former athlete, who retired from basketball in 2000 after playing 16 seasons, a special gift: a pair of underwear that had their faces on the back.
“I was planning to mail it to you. I’m sorry,” Eli, 44, teased while holding up the white briefs. “I didn’t know the story about you wearing underwear before having these made, but can I still send these to you?”
And standing firm by his commando ritual, Charles joked that he’ll accept the gift in another way.
“Definitely! You know what? I will put that on my wall,” he replied. “I got to get both of y’all to sign it and I promise I’ll put it somewhere prominent.”
You know the saying, “the more you know?” Well, sometimes, less is more. To be fair about the overshare, Peyton did bring it up first, but I’m okay forgetting about this subject all over again. That said, to each their own. Obviously, I cannot speak to the comfortability level of a man going commando, but it doesn’t sound particularly practical when wearing everyday clothing. Surely, he wears something though when he’s in jeans or a suit though, right? What about rental tuxes? Clearly, this situation is working for ol’ Chuck and has been for three decades and counting.
Anyway, I don’t really think he burned all of his underwear, but it is kinda funny to picture Charles having a big boxer bonfire in his backyard. It’s a better option than just throwing them out! As for the briefs with the Manning brothers’ faces on them, that is a pretty funny gag gift. I would laugh if Chuck does a follow-up with them, like putting them in a frame or shadowbox and taking a picture of it up on his wall.
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LOL
If you watch Chuck on TV often, you’ll notice that 1. he can joke about himself (the big fire from burning his underwear, for instance) and can handle a joke or prank against him really well; and 2. he quite often overshares (like how he acquired a certain bracelet).
Never change Chuckster! 🙂
TMI! TMI! Nobody needs that kind of information before their morning coffee. The horror, imagining that giant, flabby, old, rump without underwear! Blech!
Keep that information to yourself Mr. Barkley, sir. I don’t want to hear that from my Grandpa, or from you.
Barkley is a very entertaining man. I thought he’d think who the hell he is (my favorite Bronxism), but he’s really fun-loving and relaxed. And I find it hilarious that he’d release that information.
When i was a kid, Barkley had a commercial- was it a shoe ad?- where he looked directly into the camera and stated: “I am not your role model.”
And i’ve always loved him for that, plus, he is funny.
Next time I see ol’ Chuck we can talk about our shared disdain for underwear. We don’t have much in common so this is a good ice breaker.
I love Sir Charles so much and find this hilarious, although I agree that it might not be comfortable to wear jeans without an extra layer. He’s definitely not wearing a rental tux, though! Charles Barkley loves clothes and has great style, I’m sure he owns a tux or five. I would also love to see an update on his Manning Brothers Underoos wall art. 😂
T M I
We’re all gonna be checkin’ now, aren’t we?
I like Sir Charles. Doesn’t mean that I needed to know that. Just didn’t. I’d rather have to forget something like, oh, that he used to date Madonna for a minute.
Therese, DID he date Madonna for a minute? I know she dated Dennis Rodman (who is a really good-looking man). I guess Charles in the day looked good, too.