The man who once famously said "I am not a role model" joined "The Kittle Cast" with NFL tight end George Kittle and his wife, Claire, and was giving out some rather sage advice about aging athletically.For guys like Kittle and Barkley, going from the top of your game to retirement can be rough; it can feel like there's a hole in your life where your passion used to be.San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates his touchdown in the second half an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec.8, 2019.
That's why Sir Charles felt it paramount to impart his wisdom onto the younger Kittle now so he knows what to expect when he does decide to hang it up.For Chuck, there is a list of dos and don'ts when it comes to staying in shape post-retirement, and while sharing this with the podcast power couple, he decided to take a shot at a very popular sport among retirees."There’s not a lot you can do when you get old," Barkley said."You can’t go play basketball."And let me tell you something.
They got this stupid thing going around called pickleball, which is the way old people out here are getting hurt all the time."So, the Round Mound of Rebound is not a big pickleball fan? Got it.But he continues."My doctor friends said pickleball is the gift that keeps giving," Barkley claims."Because all these old people are killing themselves and hurt all the time.
My doctor friends are in heaven right now."Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley attends an NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov.21, 2025.
(Mark J.Rebilas/Imagn Images)Kittle chimes in and says he's heard similar things about America's fastest-growing sport among the 55-and-over community, citing torn ACLs and broken wrists galore."I am never stepping on that damn court," Kittle exclaimed.I have to say, as someone who was conscripted into the pickleball cult back in 2023 and having "left the reservation,...