It’s a heartbreaking time for Robert Griffin III and many others. The Hall of Famer-turned-TV personality Charles Barkley will be retiring from broadcasting before the 2025 season begins. RG III, along with others, had hoped that ESPN would make a substantial offer to bring Barkley on board next season. However, Barkley has confirmed that this will not be happening and has announced his decision to retire, citing his age, over 60, and ruling out any possibility of an extension. This news is a personal loss for some, such as Griffin III, who transitioned from football to broadcasting and looked up to Barkley as a source of inspiration.  

Right after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 14, Barkley went straight to NBA TV to deliver a disappointing announcement. Griffin III could wait no longer and shared the live footage of Barkley on X with the caption, “Charles Barkley, one of the Greatest TV Personalities we have ever seen, is retiring after next year.” 

The broadcaster ensured to share his gratitude toward his fans, “But next year, I’m going to just retire after 25 years, and I just wanted to say thank you. And I wanted y’all to hear it from me first.” To bring the rumors to a stop, all that Barkley did was take the oar in his hands and even hinted at the ones who will be taking up his place, “I hope the NBA stays with TNT, but for me personally, I wanted you guys to hear it from me … I wanted to tell my NBATV and TNT family that I’m not going to another network, but I’m going to pass the baton to either Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter or you Steve (Smith).” He has been an inspiration for Griffin III since, like the ex-Browns player, Barkley too switched professions from playing for Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Philadelphia 76ers to taking up a broadcasting role. 

Barkley as Griffin III’s source of inspiration

The ex-quarterback’s career took a different direction in 2021 as he started a new journey in broadcasting. His first breakthrough came with ESPN announcing Griffin III as the NFL analyst. On receiving the opportunity, he gave a speech showcasing his interest in perspective and knowledge about the NFL. “Knowing how much the game of football helps shape lives, and understanding the aspects of the commitment it entails, is why I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join ESPN for both college and NFL programming,” RGIII’s excitement seemed to have no bounds.  

It took little time for Griffin III to climb the ladder as by the second season he got promoted to be the single most insightful and incisive of football analysts. What helped him was his quick wit and agile mind. 

But in order to make himself stand out from the crowd, he derived inspiration from broadcasting stalwarts like Barkley. He imbibed Barkley’s trope of avoiding the great athlete-turned-analyst pitfall of “I-remember-from-back-when-I-was-playing.” Even though the legend will be calling it a day soon, RGIII will carry the pieces of advice to keep the Barkley legacy alive in days to come.