Tim Tebow Wins Again And Charles Barkley Says 'The National Nightmare Continues'

Charles Barkley has been pretty busy lately -- perhaps in an attempt to occupy time that could otherwise be spent eating. The svelte Barkley has been pitching Weight Watchers along with handling his usual duties on TNT's "Inside The NBA." The outspoken NBA Hall of Famer has also been turning up on all sorts of other programs, appearing on The Daily Show" and even hosting "Saturday Night Live." But even with all of that on his plate to distract him, Barkley has still had his fill of Tebowmania.

Talking to Mike Missanelli 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Barkley was asked about Tebow and the Broncos' improbable overtime victory over the Steelers in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. Never one to pull punches, Barkley didn't hide his feelings about Tebowmania.

"The national nightmare continues. Hey, listen, I like Tim Tebow but there comes a point, he had a great game. He's supposed to have a great game," Barkley said.

Missanelli then asked Barkley if he has had enough of Tebow.

"I think the world has," Barkley replied. "First of all, Mike, I don't know anything you said about Tebow but let's just say the jury is still out on Tebow. He seems like a nice kid but these ups and downs are so different. The jury is still out on Tebow. Just because he had a great game and made four or five great throws yesterday doesn’t mean he's gonna be a great starting quarterback in the NFL."

We assume Barkley is somewhat relieved that the Broncos have a date with the Patriots in Foxboro this weekend in the Divisional Round. It wasn't too long ago (December 18 to be exact) when New England crushed Denver 41-23 to clinch the AFC East. Barkley's pals at SNL were among those who felt confident the Pats would prevail in that contest -- even if the reason they suggested was a bit unsual.

Of course, Barkley's feelings and Patriots' regular-season superiority may not mean much if the "Mile High Halo" suddenly appears over Gillette Stadium.

This interview was transcribed by Sports Radio Interviews. Click HERE to listen to the full segment.

Although Barkley can't wait for Tebowmania to end, here are some athletes who have embraced the phenomenon.

ATHLETES TEBOWING

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• Lindsey Vonn

• Yankees' Mark Teixeira and PGA Pro Ben Crane

• Colorado Avalanche Players

• Dwight Howard

• Boomer Esiason

• Dexter Fowler, Prince Fielder, Adam Jones & Bobby Bonilla

• Colorado Rapids Star Omar Cummings

• Broncos Rookie Linebacker Von Miller

• WWE's Ted DiBiase Jr.

• Tim Tebow

Comments

[mh430]

04:28 PM on 01/16/2012

Charles Barkley, your entire basket ball career was a nightmare. Spitting in a little girl's face was one of many high lights.

[Graham Smart]

02:22 PM on 01/15/2012

Matthew 6:5-6

[Charla Dudley]

02:20 PM on 01/15/2012

I sure like Tim Tiblow, and not just because we have the same birthday, I just discovered that lol!
He seems to bring feelings of nostalgia and hope, and it's fun to root for the underdog and see him win and shine!

[Todd Sullivan]

03:08 AM on 05/02/2012

kinda weird to call him an underdog considering he has millions. i guess lots of americans would love to be considered that type of underdog as they struggle with unemployment and losing their homes.

[miamivice13]

01:16 PM on 01/15/2012

As I was unsure of why someone by the name of Charles Barclay would be so upset by Tim Tebow and all the hoopla surrounding Tebow TIme, I had to "Google" Charles Barclay. Finding at first that he is either a researcher, an architect, or someone involved in mining , I had to re-check the spelling.
Now I find that this Charles BARKLEY is either a chef, a school teacher in Michigan or may have been a professional basketball player. As chefs or school teachers usually don't show a jealousy of someone getting a minute of the spotlight aimed in their direction, had to assume the person we are speaking of was a professional basketball player. Still unsure of why this Barcley gentleman has his panties in a wad over a football player acquiring some attention and recognition. Was Barcley simply trying to shine the spotlight on himself, to garner some attention, stating not so eloquently, "Hey, its me, I am here... still". Reminds me somewhat of the Farve-esque syndrome, of one who is retired but still seeking attention by always reminding us of how viable and sought after they still are or were.
Regardless, even though Denver lost, its still Tebow Time... for those of us who live in the now...

[HekmagaJuximaxx]

07:43 PM on 01/15/2012

Tebow Time = 15 minutes, and that is UP! LOL!

[jonathan comer]

12:05 PM on 01/15/2012

Charles Barkley. Good basketball player that never did quite make it to greatness.Where's your championship ring Charles?

[Closer to the Edge]

08:07 AM on 01/16/2012

He made it to the hall of fame in his chosen field. Please let us know when you do anything remotely as significant.

[RacismIsA2WayStreet]

06:50 PM on 01/16/2012

That you consider a sports 'hall of fame' nod a significant achievement says more about you than anything else you could have uttered.

[thoreau101]

07:26 AM on 01/15/2012

Public displays of religion are infantile and (I suspect) manipulative with an eye on one's wallet.

[RacismIsA2WayStreet]

11:25 AM on 01/15/2012

So what's the motive behind Your public display here? Or are we to assume that your motives are totally rational and innocent? Maybe you should follow your own advice and keep certain attributes of your personality private and under wraps. Or does that line of thinking only apply to those with whom you disagree?

[thoreau101]

12:38 PM on 01/15/2012

My statement stands. The only thing worse than a dumb jock is one with "religion."

[HekmagaJuximaxx]

07:45 PM on 01/15/2012

Continue following children who believe in childish fantasies. You are on the right path to oblivion.

[White Raven]

04:33 AM on 01/15/2012

I think Tebow's unfairly targetted by the haters. I mean any honest criticism of the cloyness of the attention he's getting really belongs to the fans that go overboard putting him on a pedestal, but Tim Tebow himself strikes me as a humble, honest, respectable man.

I like him.

But his die-hard fans should take it down a notch.

[cheaptrick00]

12:06 AM on 01/15/2012

ah, Sir Cumference has spoken!!!

[historyprof]

02:34 AM on 01/15/2012

Since that commercial featured multiple children reciting Tebow's favorite Bible verse during a time-out in a game when Tebow had a miserable outing, completing only 9 of 26 passes and gaining only 13 yards rushing, perhaps it wasn't the best product placement.

[RacismIsA2WayStreet]

11:27 AM on 01/15/2012

So pony up some bucks and buy some air time for the deity of your choice. No one is stopping you from doing so and That is the cornerstone of freedom. Get to it.

[wakeup804]

09:43 PM on 01/14/2012

Hmmm. I guess Tebow must have missed a couple of prayers today, judging by that score. LOL

[ForConsideration]

04:29 PM on 01/14/2012

So, I'm not a Barkley hater. I've always kinda liked his "foot in mouth" style. He can be pretty funny and doesn't seem to mind laughing at himself (don't believe me? watch him try to golf!). I like that.

BUT, in this case, he's a bit over the top. Perhaps CB is upset because TT represents such a stark contrast to what so many athletes represent. He's selfless. What a breath of fresh air. Sir Charles should read the Rick Reilly article on TT. It will help him understand why people are such fans.

That said, I'm still a CB fan. We all say goofy things sometimes. Not gonna hate on him for being wrong on this.

[theeplayer]

09:36 AM on 01/15/2012

Tebow should come out and tell everyone not to blow his faith up as something to be so different than anyone else, cause once he falls like everyone else, they will walk away from him in a New York minute and he may have a let down he is not prepared for.

[RacismIsA2WayStreet]

11:28 AM on 01/15/2012

So does that say more about Tebow or the fans he has? Sounds to me like those fans could take a deeper lesson to heart about perseverance and integrity if they would be willing to walk away once the curtain is pulled back.

[kv3854]

11:03 AM on 01/15/2012

I don't think shamelessly promoting your religion is selfless. maybe that is just me.

[Closer to the Edge]

08:15 AM on 01/16/2012

The shame is in your mind. Tim has done very little in his life to be ashamed of. His prayers don't hurt you or anyone else. And look at the opportunity they present you with to tell the world how small-mided you are.

[RapidFireFoco]

02:59 PM on 01/14/2012

Listen to the song....He's got the SuperBowl in his eyes....

http://soundcloud.com/faith-intebow/faithintebow

[duckzilla]

01:42 PM on 01/14/2012

I agree that Tebow is getting WAAAAY too much undeserved attention. his stats say it all . he is no superstar be any means

but barkley should redirect his comments to his media colleagues. tebow don't ask fo the attention, he don't go out of his way to get attention. it is the sports media that wont stop talking about the guy. so if people are sick of hearing about him, take it up with the one's doing the talking

[FriendofMusic]

11:09 AM on 01/15/2012

"It is the sports media that wont stop talking about the guy." EXACTLY. As long as this is a free country, those who don't care about God are free to ignore it all. Tim is a brave guy to show his true beliefs and be vulnerable to all the usual ridicule that runs rampant in the sickness of what has become "culture" in America. God, have mercy on the USA.

[mh430]

04:25 PM on 01/16/2012

I agree with you. I'm from Denver and I'm a big Bronco fan. The Bronco's were perdicted to be last in the AFC West. When Tebow took over things changed, but it wasn't Tebow singing his praise it was his Fans all over the country and the media. If I was Tim and I was asked to pick two people to talk bad about me, I would pick Charles Barkley and Bill Marher. Charles the NBA player who spit in a little girls face, and Bill Marher who thinks that anyone who believes in faith, believes in fairy tales. Tebow is only a second year player and hasn't even started a full year and helped take the Bronco's to the playoffs.

[WendellPerrySociety]

01:38 PM on 01/14/2012

No big fan of Barkley's - but why all the Barkley hate - his comments seemed pretty benign to me...and he was asked about it - he didn't just shoot his mouth off about it somewhere to make a headline.

[blueman00009]

01:17 PM on 01/14/2012

Wow, alot of tebow pod people. I totally agree with sir charles. I am sooo tired of the tebow garbage. Sure he is a "nice guy" but so what. Tebow overkill and the stupid tebowing bs? That's absurd. What is wrong with this country? Give me a break.