Charles Barkley Claims ‘Homophobic Society’ Prevents Gay Athletes from Coming Out

During his tribute to gay NBA player Jason Collins, ESPN commentator and former NBA star Charles Barkley insisted that America’s “homophobic society” makes gay athletes afraid to come out in public.

Collins, who came out as gay in 2013 just before retiring from pro basketball, died Tuesday at age 47 from Stage 4 glioblastoma.

After the news broke of Collins’ death, Barkley went on the air to deliver a tribute to Collins as a “courageous” man for admitting to the world that he was gay, and called Collins a “shining example.”

“Courageous, and when he came out, man, I thought it was amazing to put himself under the microscope and the scrutiny and the hatred and the vitriol that was going to happen,” Barkley said.

But Barkley also insisted that there are many more gay athletes who are afraid to come out publicly as gay because the U.S. is still