Charles Barkley vs. M65 referee in footrace of the ages
Heard about this? NBA broadcaster Charles Barkley, a former player now infamous for uttering idiocies, said the other day: “I’ll donate $10,000 if Dick Bavetta can outrun me end-to-end [of a basketball court].There’s no 67-year-old in the whole world — not just NBA officials — that can outrun me.” Yeah, right. At least it’s given an M65 athlete a chance to show his stuff on national TV. Lots of commentary attendant with this exhibition, which USATF could capitalize on. (Bring Barkley to Boston!)
Here’s one story on the race:
Bavetta a favorite in race with Barkley?
By MEL BRACHT
February 15, 2007
Saturday night’s activities at the NBA All-Star Weekend often are more entertaining than the game itself. This year is no exception.
Not only can fans watch the usual skills competitions, but they also get a special added event. Dick Bavetta, a 67-year-old NBA referee, will race rotund, outspoken TNT analyst Charles Barkley in a 78.3-yard dash (baseline to baseline, and then to the half-court line of the court at the Thomas & Mack Arena).
The smart money is on Bavetta, who reportedly runs eight miles a day.
The race is the result of comments Barkley made during the Kings-Lakers telecast Jan. 4. He took shots at Bavetta as well as Jess Kersey, another referee on the three-man crew that night, saying, “You’ve got two guys who parted the (Red) Sea with Moses.”
He then claimed he could beat Bavetta in a race.
Bavetta quickly took him up and offered a $5,000 bet, with the winner’s money going to a charity of Barkley’s choice.
The LA Times coverage of the race included this:
There is also a morning training session (for Barkley) scheduled with former Olympic sprinter John Carlos.
Barkley, meanwhile, is having fun with the challenge from Bavetta, but he is also aware of the grief he will take if he loses the match race. Actually, he realizes he’ll take grief either way.
“I have nothing to gain,” he said on the way to the Leno taping Wednesday. “I can only lose. Everyone will be rooting for Bavetta.”
The challenge started Jan. 4, when Barkley was courtside at Sacramento in a rare role as game commentator when the Lakers played the Kings. Barkley, who turns 44 on Tuesday, couldn’t resist making a crack about Bavetta’s age, which led the referee to challenge Barkley to a footrace.
It will be taped Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center and shown during TNT’s “All-Star Saturday” coverage, which begins at 5:30 p.m.
The race will be 235 feet, or 78.3 yards. It will be from baseline to baseline and back to the half-court line. In conjunction with the race, TNT and the NBA are each donating $25,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.
Barkley beat Bavetta? Hell, Barkley wouldn’t beat Kathy Bergen.
7 Responses
Ken
you can get word out to Charles Barkley that there are at least “SEVEN” (7) over 70 year old men that can beat him. Better known as the “Mag-7”
LIDA,COLBERT,RIZZO,COZENS, CAMP,BENNETT,WHILDEN, ARE THE NAMES OF THESE ATHLETES AND THEY WILL BE PUTTING UP SOME EXCELLENT TIMES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. MAR.3RD TO BE EXACT 4x 200 @THE ARMORY IN NY GOING FOR A W.R. TIME TO BEAT 1:58.71 FOR MEN 70 AND OVER. COLBERT TO RIZZO TO CAMP TO LIDA WE SHOULD DO VERY WELL.
MAYBE BARKLEY CAN GET HIS TEAMATES TO RUN AGAINST OUR TEAM! AND WHY NOT?
Barkley is still a young man with incredible athletic talent. I think he will do well if he trained during the 6-weeks after the challenge. Running 78 yards is much different than running 8 miles a day. My money is on Barkley (if he trained). Jay Leno is going to have a field day either way.
Barkley is still a young man with incredible athletic talent. I think he will do well if he trained during the 6-weeks after the challenge. Running 78 yards is much different than running 8 miles a day. My money is on Barkley (if he trained). Jay Leno is going to have a field day either way.
Tom,
You are right about jogging 8 miles a day as opposed to a true full out sprint. Would you care to put you money on BARKLEY if he were to challenge?? Well lets start with 60 & up Mr Robbins first name Stephen then move to 65 old men MR.Edens first name Paul 70 year olds next. I have three in mind Mr.Larry Colbert, Mr.Bob Lida,& last but not least Mr.Robert Whilden. We may be able to raise some money settle this difference of opinion if you still are in diagreement with this comment.
Tom,
You are right about jogging 8 miles a day as opposed to a true full out sprint. Would you care to put your money on BARKLEY if he were to challenge?? Well lets start with 60 & up Mr Robbins first name Stephen then move to 65 year old men MR.Edens first name Paul 70 year olds next. I have three in mind Mr.Larry Colbert, Mr.Bob Lida,& last but not least Mr.Robert Whilden. We may be able to raise some money settle this difference of opinion if you still are in diagreement with this comment.
I will bet on Paul Edens who is fast closing on 70. And he will run backwards.
Joe, I agree. However Paul has at least three years to go before turning 70 & in the 65 -69 age group it will be very hard to find anyone in the nation to beat him. Already in the 70 age group the seven above mentioned athletes could without a shadow of doubt beat Mr.Charles Barkley in a sprint race for charity! AND WHY NOT?
Leave a Reply