Charles Barkley criticizes Rosen: 'Those kids need that education'
Josh Rosen has become a magnet for criticism within the last 24 hours after commenting about the relationship between college football and education, drawing the ire of a number of figures both in and out of the sport.
Add Charles Barkley to that list.
The outspoken basketball analyst and NBA Hall of Famer voiced his opinion about Rosen's comments Wednesday on the "Dan Patrick Show," taking issue with the notion that education is secondary - especially because Rosen is a rare college player with an NFL future.
"This is my biggest problem when these people get on TV talking about amateurism and they're using these kids ... most of these kids going to have to get real jobs. They need an education. Josh Rosen going to be a No. 1 pick ... He can just go there and play football," Barkley said.
Barkley expressed concern for the future of the majority of college players, specifically black players, who will never end up playing football professionally.
Related: Rosen: 'Raise the SAT requirement at Alabama and see what kind of team they have'
“I don’t want some rich white kid who’s gonna be a No. 1 draft pick talking about … we’re just wasting our time,” Barkley said. “Well, most of those kids aren't wasting those times. Most of those kids need that free education to be successful at life.
“And he might be a nice kid, but lemme tell you something: I don’t want any rich white kid telling black kids, ‘No don’t worry about this stuff. Just come here and play football.’ Those kids ain’t got no chance at going to the NFL. Those kids need that education. … I hate that message.”
Related: Arkansas' Bielema disagrees with Rosen on football-school balance
Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones once took a similar stance to Rosen with his infamous "We ain't come here to play school" tweet, but the pivot - now with the Los Angeles Chargers - advised against that logic Tuesday when he tweeted at Rosen: "Chill bro, play school."
The coexistence of academics and football is a relationship that's garnered heavy debate over the years, and Rosen seems to have done his part in stoking that fire.
-With h/t to College Football Talk