NBA legend Charles Barkley didn't hold back when honoring former New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins, the league's first openly gay player, who tragically passed away from brain cancer on Tuesday. During Wednesday night's "Inside the NBA" broadcast, the Hall of Famer and longtime commentator used the moment to slam homophobia in sports, delivering a powerful message that resonated far beyond the studio.

Collins, a key force behind the Nets' back-to-back NBA Finals runs in 2002 and 2003, made history in 2013 when he publicly came out as gay. The following year, he became the first openly gay male athlete to play in a major U.S. professional sport—a milestone that, according to Barkley, still carries weight today. "If another guy did it, it would still be a big deal—because we live in a homophobic society and that's unfortunate," Barkley declared on ESPN.

The 63-year-old former forward didn't mince words, pointing out that Collins likely wasn't the only gay player to ever step onto an NBA court. "Anybody who thinks we ain't got a bunch of gay players in all sports, they're just stupid," Barkley said. "There is such an atmosphere toward the gay community, and that's what's really unfortunate." His candid remarks highlight a persistent issue: according to the website Out Athletes, nearly 4,600 active players in major U.S. men's sports in 2024 were not publicly known to be gay, while dozens of WNBA athletes are openly homosexual.

For gay athletes struggling with their identity, Barkley offered simple but profound advice: "Do you. Gay people have the right to do what they want." It's a reminder that courage, like Collins', paves the way for a more inclusive future—both on and off the court.