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Charles Barkley almost transferred from Auburn to Alabama

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers former basketball player Charles Barkley on the set of ESPN College Gameday before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers former basketball player Charles Barkley on the set of ESPN College Gameday before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

In a new documentary about Auburn athletics, famous Auburn alum Charles Barkley reveals that he nearly transferred to hated rival Alabama after a falling out with coach Sonny Smith.

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Barkley tells the story of his near-transfer in the SEC Network doc “Bo, Barkley and The Big Hurt,” a chronicle of the careers of Auburn’s three most famous athletes not counting Cam Newton (via al.com).

"“I called the coaches at Alabama at the end of my sophomore year and told them I’m transferring to Alabama because I had just had enough,” Barkley said."

Barkley’s weight issues played into his conflict with Smith, who also told his side of the story:

"“I got on him really bad one day and he couldn’t take it any more,” Smith says in the documentary. “He just walked off the floor and quit.”"

Smith and Barkley worked out their differences in a three hour conversation and Charles decided not to transfer to Alabama after all.

Imagine how different the world would be if Barkley were an insufferable Alabama booster now instead of an insufferable Auburn booster. It would be, like, slightly more awful.

The full documentary is set to air on SEC Network Aug 21 at 8 PM ET. You’ll have to check local listings for channel because I have no idea what number SEC Network is on for you or even if you have SEC Network. It’s 2014, learn how to work a TV.

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