Charles Barkley on Wayne Gretzky criticism from Canadians: ‘Fools!’
Former NBA MVP Charles Barkley recently came to the defense of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, who has faced criticism from Canadians for his friendship with President Donald Trump. Gretzky’s wife, Janet Gretzky, revealed that the criticism had left the hockey great “heartbroken.”
During a segment on “Inside the NBA,” Barkley slammed those criticizing Gretzky, referring to them as “fools.” He emphasized Gretzky’s status as the greatest hockey player of all time and praised his character, calling him “the nicest person.”
The controversy surrounding Gretzky stems from his attendance at a victory party following Trump’s 2024 election win over Vice President Kamala Harris. Gretzky was photographed wearing a MAGA hat and later attended Trump’s inauguration. This led to backlash from Canadians, who viewed Gretzky’s actions as aligning with Trump’s controversial policies, including threats of tariffs on Canadian imports.
Despite Trump’s attempts to recruit Gretzky as the next “governor of Canada,” Gretzky expressed his support for Canada remaining an independent country. This decision led Trump to label Gretzky a “free agent.”
In response to the criticism, fellow Canadian hockey legend Bobby Orr penned a column in the Toronto Sun expressing disappointment in the treatment of Gretzky. Orr highlighted Gretzky’s contributions to Canadian hockey and called for respect for his personal beliefs.
Janet Gretzky shared Orr’s column on social media, thanking him for his words of support and revealing that the criticism had deeply affected Wayne Gretzky. She emphasized her husband’s pride in being Canadian and his love for both his country and the sport of hockey.
Gretzky’s reputation as a beloved figure in Canada has been called into question due to his association with Trump, but supporters like Barkley and Orr continue to advocate for understanding and respect for Gretzky’s personal choices. The hockey legend remains committed to representing Canada and the sport of hockey with pride and integrity.
