‘Turn Off Your Damn Television’: Why Charles Barkley Is Refusing to Apologize for Something He Said

Credit: AP

During his illustrious NBA career, thanks to his large frame, Charles Barkley was regularly referred to as the "round mound of rebound." Barkley is also known for having a larger-than-life personality that matches his physical size.

When he appears on TNT's NBA broadcasts, part of Barkley's "charm" is his unfiltered commentary that frequently crosses the line of what some consider to be appropriate broadcast standards. In 2010, he was forced to apologize for calling his TNT co-hosts, "a**holes" on live television. Last week, there were again calls for Barkley to apologize for something he said on TNT.

This time he has been called out for comments made on the network's "Game Break" on May 6. While talking about the upcoming game between the Portland Trailblazers and the San Antonio Spurs, Barkley made comments about the women in San Antonio, starting with him saying, "There's some big ol' women down there," as the panel laughed Barkley continued, "That's a gold mine for Weight Watchers."

[sharequote align="center"]"That's a gold mine for Weight Watchers."[/sharequote]

When asked why he would say something like that, Barkley continued with a string of comments that inspired laughter from his co-hosts, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson Jr. and Kenny Smith.

A laughing Kenny Smith asked Barkley, "Do they have spandex in San Antonio?" That sparked Barkley into part two of his comedic rant: "Victoria's definitely a secret down there."

O'Neal was doubling over with laughter at the Barkley routine that also included a few shots at one the Alamo city's biggest tourist attractions, San Antonio's Riverwalk.

Watch the initial segment from May 6.

Almost immediately after the live segment aired, there were calls for Charles Barkley to apologize. Leading the charge was the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA).

Twitter also saw a large amount of traffic about Barkley's comments. However, a majority of those mentioning the broadcasters comments in a positive fashion. There were those that did not appreciate or support the former NBA star's comments:

Sterling gets banned, Don Jones gets fined, but #charlesbarkley is allowed to continue to degrade women? @NBAonTNT

— Sarah Bramblette (@Born2lbFat) May 12, 2014

Before TNT's Sunday coverage of the NBA playoffs, Barkley returned to the set and responded to those who want him disciplined, suspended or fined for his comments about San Antonio's women.

An unapologetic Barkley spoke directly to the camera for just about a minute. His remarks included some pretty clear statements.

"Some of you people don't like my sense of humor," he said after he reiterated he was joking. Then he got more direct: "Here's what I got to say -- turn off your damn television. I'm not gonna change. If you don't like me or the show, turn it off."

"I'm gonna have fun on television!" he added, before doubling down and cracking even more jokes about the subject.

Watch the entire non-apology from Sunday:

Follow Mike Opelka (@Stuntbrain) on Twitter