No fortune can eclipse good health, and for Charles Barkley, that lesson has never felt more urgent. While the former Philadelphia 76ers icon has been fortunate enough to avoid any life-threatening health scares himself, he’s had his battles, particularly with his weight and diabetes. But what truly shook him recently wasn’t a diagnosis of his own. It was the unexpected passing of someone he knew from his Auburn days, a moment that made him stop and think about just how fragile life can be.
This friend, Tim Woody, came into Barkley’s life through Gary Godfrey, a longtime buddy from his college years. Speaking openly on The Steam Room podcast, Chuck shared the heartbreaking news: “Tim passed away the other day. Tim had ALS. He was only 36 years old…” The sadness in his voice was evident, and it wasn’t just grief—it was fear, perspective, and a wake-up call all rolled into one. “So you people out there, man, don’t take your health for granted,” he added, offering a powerful reminder to anyone listening.
The real shock came when he pictured himself gone at 36. “If I died at Tim’s age, I’d have been dead close to 30 years. That’s how crazy life is. And you take everything so for granted. And don’t take your health for granted, man. Take care of yourself.” Those words came from someone who’s trying hard to rewrite his own health story.
If you’ve followed Barkley over the years, you’d know his weight has been a long-standing challenge. But now, he seems more determined than ever to tackle it head-on. The big shift? A combination of medications and a serious mindset change. “I got really fat the last couple years when I got… two replacement hips. So I played at 250, but I got up to 355. So I started doing the Zepbound. I started with Mounjaro. Now I’m doing the Zepbound. So I want to get to 270,” Barkley said, getting candid about his weight journey.
For those not familiar, the medication he’s talking about, doctors prescribe Tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It’s sold in the U.S. under Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. But interestingly, the drug itself wasn’t the biggest breakthrough for Barkley. It was the accessibility that really changed things for him.
“Anybody out there struggling with your weight, Ro.co [a telehealth company] Listen, it’s an online service. They ship you your stuff to your house. I’m telling you, if you. If you’re struggling with your weight, give it a go. Like I say, I got up to 355. I’m down to 315 now. And the crazy thing about it, I hadn’t taken the drug in over a year because I couldn’t get it.. So I partnered with Roe,” Chuck revealed on The Steam Room.
Jan. 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: TNT announcer Charles Barkley court side prior to the game between the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Clippers at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Clippers 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a seismic turn for a man who once weaponized his weight. Yes, there was a time when Barkley intentionally gained pounds to avoid getting drafted by the Sixers. Why? His agent had told him the team wouldn’t offer more than a one-year, $75,000 deal because of salary cap issues. So, his plan was to bulk up and miss the weight requirement criteria. But life had its own twist in store.
What made Charles Barkley spend 8 seasons with the 76ers despite initial unfavorable circumstances?
If you are wondering how Charles Barkley, a guy who clashed with the Sixers over his weight and wasn’t thrilled with the money talk, still ended up becoming the face of the franchise for eight straight seasons, well, you’re not alone. Charles Barkley’s eight-year tenure in Philadelphia began with skeptics doubting both his frame and his contract value. Yet it ended with “The Round Mound of Rebound” cemented as the franchise’s emotional and statistical cornerstone.
Despite all the initial tension, Barkley’s college numbers couldn’t be ignored. Averaging 14.1 points, 9.6 boards, and 1.7 blocks per game, the Auburn star brought enough to the table for the Sixers to bet on him anyway. Drafted fifth overall in 1984, Barkley balked at the Sixers’ $75,000 rookie offer – so much so that he famously binge-ate to spike his weight past the limit, hoping to void the deal. Yet after dominating Princeton’s summer league (pulling down rebounds “like a madman,” as he recalled), Philadelphia cleared cap space—trading Caldwell Jones—and signed him to a four-year, $2 million contract that set the stage for his rise.
“It was in Princeton, Princeton, New Jersey. I was out there rebounding like a madman. I was running, jumping, dunking, everything,” Chuck had revealed once on Podcast with P. His on-court fire led the team to clear space by trading two players. On court, Barkley erased any lingering doubts. In his rookie season, he averaged 14.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first rookie in NBA history to average a double-double, and earned a spot on the 1985 All-Rookie First Team.
Unknown date; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia 76ers forward Charles Barkley (34) against the Portland Trail Blazers at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Off the hardwood, Barkley’s larger-than-life personality resonated deeply with Philadelphia fans. His brash media appearances and community outreach – often recalling how he once tried to avoid the Sixers for cap reasons – gave him a “lived-in” authenticity. The city embraced him as one of their own. He matured into a team leader, guiding younger talents, pushing playoff runs (including the 1986 Eastern Conference Finals), and turning contract friction into mutual respect. By the time he departed for Phoenix, he’d amassed over 14,000 points and 9,000 rebounds in Philadelphia and changed the franchise’s culture.
Funny how things turn out—the same player worried about his paycheck went on to earn a whopping $40.6 million in the league. Fast forward to the present, and Charles Barkley realizes that those 8 years and many more after that in his life up to this point matter much more than any amount of money..
The post “Passed Away So Young”: Friend’s Death Spooks Charles Barkley Amid Desperate Efforts to Lose 40Lbs appeared first on EssentiallySports.