Charles Barkley says he was never bothered by gay teammates

Charles Barkley says he has had gay teammates during his career, and it never bothered him a bit. (The Associated Press)

After two basketball figures publicly came out over the weekend, former Auburn player and Leeds native Charles Barkley has encouraging words for gay athletes.


"It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: 'Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy,'" Barkley said on 106.7 The Fan in Washington. "First of all, quit telling me what I think. I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't play."

ESPN reports that Barkley said he's certain he played with gay teammates on two or three teams during his basketball career, but he never worried about awkward situations involving gay teammates, because "[It] doesn't work like that."

Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts and former Villanova starter Will Sheridan announced their sexual orientation last weekend. Sheridan had already come out to and was accepted by his college teammates, according to ESPN.

But Welts' story was a different one. The 58-year-old man who has spent 40 of his years in sports had, until now, kept his private life just that -- private. He was afraid that if he made his homosexuality public, it would impede his rising sports career.

Welts told the New York Times that he wants to be a mentor to gay people who harbor doubts about a sports career, whether on the court or in the front office.

ESPN reports that Barkley, who played for the Suns, wishes Welts the best.

"First of all, society discriminates against gay people," Barkley said. "They always try to make it like jocks discriminate against gay people. I've been a big proponent of gay marriage for a long time, because as a black person, I can't be in for any form of discrimination at all."