It’s been decades since Charles Barkley last played a professional basketball game, but he’s still become a larger-than-life personality thanks to his various studio gigs. In fact, with his colorful personality, it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to say the retired Barkley is one of the more recognizable faces in major American sports.
But just don’t tell that to Jack Eichel.
As Eichel’s Las Vegas Golden Knights worked to take a 3-1 lead in this year’s Stanley Cup Final, Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas interviewed Barkley in the box he was sitting in. Before taking a final question, Barkley relayed an amusing story about how Eichel apparently saw Barkley in Las Vegas’ team hotel and seemingly thought nothing of meeting the basketball legend.
As a credit to Barkley, he kept his cool and managed to turn the event into something funny:
Charles Barkley got humbled by… Jack Eichel? 😂 pic.twitter.com/PuMdISlS84
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 11, 2023
Though I can’t confirm for sure, I find it rather unlikely Eichel doesn’t know who Barkley is. The young man grew up in Massachusetts and likely eventually had some kind of exposure to Barkley’s personality. Regardless of the reason, it’s hysterical that Eichel didn’t readily exchange friendly pleasantries with the basketball icon.
Fans loved Barkley's story about meeting Eichel in a hotel
There's a whole world out there, Jack Eichel https://t.co/TYJN8duNMW
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 11, 2023
Charles Barkley is one of the best things the NHL has going for it, personality-wise.
Always more Sir Charles.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 11, 2023
LOL at Jack Eichel big-timing Charles Barkley, that rocks
— James O'Brien 📎 (@cyclelikesedins) June 11, 2023
Charles Barkley's conversation with @SNkylebukauskas is hilarious! And the fact that Jack Eichel may, or may not know, who Sir Charles is…LOL
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) June 11, 2023
Jack Eichel catching strays from Charles Barkley
— Jordan Timpson (@jordanbtimpson) June 11, 2023
— aBuffaloGuy (@ABuffaloGuy) June 11, 2023
Charles Barkley was on HNIC and told a story of how he is staying in the same hotel as Jack Eichel, approached him and told him how good of a hockey player he is, Eichel had no clue who he was.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 11, 2023
Nobody tells stories better than Charles Barkley.
Shame on Jack Eichel not knowing the legend. pic.twitter.com/59u8MvCcVb
— Stu D (@4thLineDusterr) June 11, 2023
