I was a huge fan of Charles Barkley in the '80's.  Mostly because I was a fan of the Sixers back then.  Philly won their last title in '83, a year before they drafted Barkley.  Dr. J and Moses Malone were winding down brilliant careers and the "Round Mound of Rebound" was the next superstar in waiting.  I pulled for Barkley all through high school and college. 

Somewhere along the way, I lost interest if not respect for Barkley.  The fight with Laimbeer.  The spitting incident (he tried to spit on a heckler but hit a little girl instead) that caused his suspension.  The mouth.  Who hasn't been tired of his big mouth at one time or another especially since his retirement.  I didn't care about all the gambling.  It's his money to lose and he could afford it.

I never got to the point that I couldn't stand him, I just wasn't a fan anymore.    I certainly didn't care about what he had to say.

That was until he held court at the open ECU basketball practice on Saturday.  His attitude was fantastic.  He accommodated every fan who wanted an autograph or picture.  He spoke to the team after their scrimmage giving real thought out observations like telling the big men they didn't run back up the floor and it cost each side 3 baskets each.  "How many games did you guys lose by 6 points or less last year?" he asked. 

He then held a Q&A with the several hundred fans who attended.  He answered everything from inquiries about his college days with Pirate coach Mack McCarthy who was an assistant at Auburn during his time there.  He joked about lasting just one day at football tryouts and how Moses Malone said he was fat and lazy when he was a rookie with the Sixers.  Coach Mack chuckled because he had been telling him that for three years at Auburn.

One fan asked him what he tells young basketball players today.  He said he tells them how important education is.  "You see so many horror stories where guys haven't got their education. Now that I am who I am and I get a chance to go speak to these kids I try to explain to them the system. To be successful it takes a lot of effort"

Barkley once said that athletes shouldn't be role models because it sets unattainable goals for many of today's youths.  He was blasted for the comment that was taken out of context.  He understands that he is a role model and it's obvious he tries to use his influence on kids.  Much of what he said to the Pirate players before their practice centered around them getting their education.  He understands each one of them has an NBA dream but even the best player is a long shot at best.

I've seen many professional athletes speak to teams and at events and they are often just pandering to the team or the crowd.  The "you can do it if you try" speech is not something Barkley is going to drop on the ears of the Pirates or any other group.  I don't know if he's mellowed or if I've started to pay attention to him again but I like what I heard. 

Charles Barkley has given more than $3-million to the Alabama school systems.  He's befriended the girl he spat on and her family saying that's the only incident he regretted during his career.    He also made a big fan out of me for the second time... and this time he earned it with his mouth.