Every time Charles Barkley says “first of all…” to begin a new episode of the Steam Room, he leaves loyal viewers emotional. This time, he had to touch upon a story of unfathomable heartbreak and personal resilience that struck a chord with Ernie Johnson as well. Chuck delivered an emotional tribute to Colin Dorgan, a Rhode Island teen and high school hockey player who recently led his team to the state championship game just weeks after a tragedy claimed the lives of his mother, brother, and grandfather.

“This kid scored the game-winning goal, and in double overtime,” Barkley said on his TNT show. “You can’t make this stuff up… I’m not even sure I would have been able to finish the season, to be honest with you.”

The moment proved too heavy for co-host Johnson, whose voice cracked with visible emotion as the duo discussed Dorgan’s resilience after an unthinkable tragedy. He then described the clip that has gone viral on social media: the moment Dorgan hit the game-winner and was surrounded by his team.

“That image of him next to the glass when all the students and the fans are, yeah, it’s amazing,” Johnson said, but couldn’t speak any further.

Johnson had to take a moment to clear his throat and compose himself. Even Barkley had to take off his big “welding glasses” to get through his ‘first of all’ without breaking down. Dorgan’s belief in returning to the ice offered a rare glimpse of heroism that warmed hearts online.

“I just want to thank him for bringing some joy to my life, ’cause when I got the story, I was like, ‘Man, this kid has been through so much,’” Barkley said.

“Sports are important, they’re not the most important thing,” Barkley said before Johnson stepped in and concluded, “But they provide moments that transcend everything.”

The heavy atmosphere in the studio reflected the deep personal losses both men have navigated throughout their lives.

Rhode Island teen struck a personal chord for Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson

While the co-hosts of the Steam Room usually keep the atmosphere lighthearted, Chuck and Ernie Johnson’s profound reaction likely stems from their own intimate acquaintance with grief. Johnson has been famously open about the passing of his son, Michael, who battled muscular dystrophy. He’s chronicled the grief in his memoir Unscripted. In 2024, he took a short leave of absence on Inside the NBA after losing his sister to cancer.

Barkley, too, has faced significant personal loss, including the passing of his younger brother, Darryl Barkley, in 2009.

This shared history of navigating family tragedy allowed the duo to connect with Colin Dorgan’s story on a level that went beyond standard sports reporting. The tragedy Dorgan faced involved a domestic dispute that spilled into a public arena last month. The youngster’s father, Robert, opened fire on the entire family at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on February 16, 2026.

A harrowing video of the incident had previously gone viral, showing players and spectators at the Rhode Island rink scrambling for safety during the game. Colin’s mother, Rhonda Dorgan, his brother, Aidan Dorgan, and his grandfather, Gerald, passed away. His grandmother, Linda, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded but survived.

A bystander stopped the attack. Robert later died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

After the incident, Colin took some time off from hockey. The school even offered its team the option to withdraw from the rest of the season. But the team returned and rallied around the youngster.

On March 12, Colin and the team wore heart patches on their jerseys, with the initials of the three who died, in tribute to his family during the decisive game. Dorgan’s game-winner turned into a heartwarming moment when his teammates crowded him, and the arena was full of emotions. He later called it the “greatest moment” of his life.

Chuck not only gave him a shoutout in solidarity but also promised to watch Dorgan’s championship game on March 18.