NBA legend Charles Barkley has become one of the latest celebrities to voice his concerns toward UNC football coach Bill Belichick and his ongoing relationship with 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
Barkley, who successfully transitioned into broadcasting after his post-NBA playing career, gave Dan Patrick his thoughts about the now-viral CBS interview showcasing Hudson's ability to have full control of the 73-year-old. This included denying discussing how and where the couple met, which caused a firestorm of mixed reactions and made North Carolina to release a statement on Belichick's behalf.
During the conversation with Patrick, Barkley revealed that he and the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach have a long-standing friendship that goes back several decades. Barkley said while he has not personally called Belichick for a life update, he does owe him one and wants to make sure his overall stability is up to par.
"From what I'm hearing, it's starting to be a very slippery slope," Barkley said. "And I never talk about people's personal relationships. That's another rule I got. But I will admit I'm a little concerned with some of the stuff that's going on, and I might actually reach out to him and make sure everything is good. But I am concerned from what I'm hearing because, yeah, it's not a good look right now. I'll admit that."
Belichick appeared to rub CBS the wrong way, as the network's PR team released a statement of its own with a rather contrasting perspective as opposed to Belichick's statement.
"When we agreed to speak with Mr. Belichick, it was for a wide-ranging interview," the statement read. "There were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation."
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Instead of football or Belichick's transition to college coaching, it's the coach's personal life at the center of the national spotlight.
With the college football season three months away, it's unknown how Belichick's reputation will be viewed by then. But, for now, it isn't looking good.