“They played music and I…” Charles Barkley HILARIOUS major in college REVEALED; Shaquille O’Neal cries from laughter

Barkley's true major at Auburn University was business management, contrary to his humorous claim of it being in 'music appreciation.'


“They played music and I…” Charles Barkley HILARIOUS major in college REVEALED; Shaquille O’Neal cries from laughter

Charles Barkley (via Open Source/X)

Charles Barkley, the legendary rebound king is a beloved figure nationwide as he regularly captivates audiences with his charismatic presence on television. Since retiring from basketball, Chuck has graced the screen on Inside the NBA, joining forces with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. Additionally, he brings his charm to various talk shows that explore topics beyond his beloved sport of basketball.

During a segment on the widely-watched Inside the NBA show, Chuck humorously mentioned that he pursued ‘music appreciation’ in college. This might come as a shock to most because it is the last thing everyone would expect to hear from the great “round mound of rebound.”

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Following Game 4 of the 2022 NBA playoffs between the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, Ernie hosted a segment sponsored by Taco Bell called “Hungry For More.” In this segment, Ernie noted that the Celtics shot an impressive 16 out of 19 in the fourth quarter, translating to 84 percent.

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Chuck’s reaction seemed one of surprise, prompting Ernie to jokingly instruct him to “do the math.” Barkley humorously admitted that math wasn’t his forte, declaring himself more inclined towards science. Curiosity piqued, the crew then inquired about Charles’ actual college major, to which he amusingly replied:

Music appreciation.

The crew then followed up with Charles, eagerly awaiting his response. With a grin, he added:

They played music, and I appreciated it.

Barkley’s true major at Auburn University was business management, contrary to his humorous claim of ‘music appreciation.’ Despite studying business management, Charles Barkley did not complete his college education. He departed before his final year at Auburn and entered the 1984 NBA draft, where he was chosen as the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Charles Barkley trolls best mate Shaq while congratulating him for Magic jersey retirement

Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have evolved into more than just a dynamic duo in sports media; they’ve also formed a genuine friendship. Their camaraderie is evident as they frequently engage in playful banter, yielding uproarious outcomes. To celebrate O’Neal’s No. 32 jersey retirement ceremony by the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, Barkley was tasked with recording a video message for his esteemed colleague. True to form, he couldn’t resist teasing his Inside the NBA co-worker in the process.

Charles Barkley (Left) and Shaquille O’Neal (Right) (via Open Source/X)
Charles Barkley (Left) and Shaquille O’Neal (Right) (via Open Source/X)

Barkley said:

Congratulations! Wait a minute, is this the Lakers, Cleveland, Miami, Suns or Boston, Kenny [Smith]? Jersey retirement—oh my bad—Orlando Magic.

Barkley playfully teased O’Neal, highlighting the extensive list of teams he played for, including the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. However, after delivering the lighthearted ribbing, Barkley sincerely congratulated the four-time champion with heartfelt wishes.

Hey, big, we love you, man. [It] couldn’t happen to a better guy. It’s well deserved. We’re proud of ya. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with you every week. We love you, and congratulations on the Magic retiring your jersey.

Shaq holds the distinction of being only the third NBA player in history to have his jersey retired by three different teams. The Lakers retired his iconic #34 jersey, while the Miami Heat also retired his #32 jersey in recognition of his contributions to both franchises.

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