Charles Barkley is a true Auburn Tiger, both in victory and in defeat.
The retired NBA legend Barkley went viral after Auburn’s loss in the Final Four to Florida on Saturday over his classy gesture. Barkley, who was doing on-site studio coverage for CBS Sports, was waiting in the tunnel area as the Tigers walked off the floor. When Auburn star Johni Broome came by, Barkley went out of his way to comfort him and give Broome what appeared to be an encouraging message.
Here is the video, per Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle.
Take a look at a closer angle of the classy moment.
Barkley, an Auburn alum who played for the Tigers from 1981-84, was obviously rooting hard for Auburn to win. Cameras caught him visibly reacting as the game was slipping away from the Tigers down the stretch.
But even so, Barkley made sure to acknowledge Broome and the Tigers for a job very well done this season. The SEC Player of the Year Broome in particular was a shining star for Auburn, battling through a big injury scare in the Elite Eight to finish with 25 points and 14 rebounds in a Tigers victory.
Against fellow No. 1 seed Florida on Saturday, Broome’s 15 point and seven rebounds were not quite enough. But Barkley made sure to let Broome know to hold his head high, especially with an NBA career (as a projected late first-round pick) now beckoning for the talented 22-year-old.
