Charles Barkley agrees to hire security guards

Jet, Nov 24, 1997

NBA veteran Charles Barkley said he will not retire, but he will hire security guards to escort him when he goes out.

At a meeting following Barkley's arrest in Orlando, FL, NBA officials presented. Barkley with the option of Charles getting security or retiring. He chose to keep playing and said he must make some changes in his lifestyle.

"The league told me that every time I go out, I need to take security guards with me," he said after a 90-minute meeting with deputy commissioner Russ Granik and Horace Balmer, the NBA's vice president of security.

"No matter what anyone says or does to me, I will not be baited. If someone throws a drink at me, I'll let my security guards handle it."

Barkley was arrested in Orlando for allegedly hurling 20-year old Jorge Lugo through a bar window after the young man threw a glass of ice at Barkley and some women who were sitting with him (JET, NOV. 17).

Barkley Barkley maintains that he did not throw Lugo through the window but only pushed him and he fell into the window.

The former Philadelphia 76er considered retiring because he believed that the league did not publicly support him after the incident. But after the meeting he thanked the NBA for its support.

"They understand where I'm coming from," he said. "But when I get arrested, it's embarrassing for me and for the league."

The NBA said it planned no punishment for Barkley.