Former NBA star Charles Barkley is famous for his love of hockey. The sports analyst has gone viral many times for his on-air reactions to hockey highlights. Barkley has also never shied away from sharing his love for the sport, even during panels and sessions analyzing basketball games. The NBA Hall of Famer recently appeared on the popular “Spittin’ Chiclets” hockey podcast.

Charles Barkley on the Difference Between NHL and NBA Players

Barkley joined the “Spittin’ Chiclets” co-hosts on Friday, May 16, and accurately predicted a win for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6. He also talked about the mentality winning athletes would cultivate and highlighted how he had seen it many times during his playing career.

He went on to praise hockey players for their commitment and desire to win.

“If you’re going to win, you have to be all in. That’s the thing I admire and respect about hockey players. You never hear them complain about load management. You never hear them complain about playing time. That’s why I love hockey, to be honest with you guys,” Barkley said.

Speaking from personal experience, he also pointed out the differing attitudes of basketball players, recounting the complaints and negative atmosphere in the Phoenix Suns locker room during his time playing for them.

“If you’re going to win, you can’t worry about how much money other guys are making. You can’t worry about playing time. You can’t worry about who’s starting. I remember telling the owner that. I said, ‘The team is different because, with success, everything changes,’” Barkley recalled.

Barkley’s love for hockey began when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984. During a 2024 interview with Sportsnet, he recalled how the 76ers and the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers shared a stadium, which led to an interest in hockey.

“I started going to hockey games, and I have to say that while watching on TV is pretty good, but there’s nothing like a hockey game in person. It’s really awesome,” Barkley said via Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

Barkley had another viral moment ahead of this season’s playoffs when he predicted an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He shared his prediction, which could still come true, with “NHL on TNT” host Liam McHugh.

“Two years ago, the Florida Panthers lost [the Stanley Cup], came back and won it,” Barkley said. “[Edmonton] Oilers lost last year; they are going to come back and win it this year. Same scenario.”

Barkley’s reaction to the Oilers’ 1-0 overtime win to clinch the Western Conference Second Round playoff series has also become popular online.

Lewis Pugh has followed an unspoken rule during his career as one of the world’s most daring endurance swimmers: Don’t talk about sharks. 

But he plans to break that this week on a swim around Martha’s Vineyard, where Jaws was filmed 50 years ago.

The British-South African was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world – and has taken on extreme conditions everywhere from Mount Everest to the Arctic.

“On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time,” joked Pugh, who will, as usual, wear no wetsuit.

For his swim around Martha’s Vineyard in 8-degree Celsius water he will wear just trunks, a cap and goggles.

A swim for sharks

Pugh, 55, is undertaking the challenge because he wants to change public perception around the now at-risk animals – which he said were maligned by the blockbuster film as “villains, as cold-blooded killers.” He will urge for more protection for sharks.

On Thursday, beginning at the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, he will swim for three or four hours in the brutally cold surf, mark his progress and spend the rest of his waking hours on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. 

Then, he’ll get in the water and do it again – and again, for an estimated 12 days, or however long it takes him to complete the 100-kilometre swim.

He begins the journey just after the New England Aquarium confirmed the first white shark sighting of the season, earlier this week off the coast of Nantucket.

“It’s going to test me not only physically, but also mentally,” he said, while scoping out wind conditions by the starting line. 

“I mean every single day I’m going to be speaking about sharks, sharks, sharks, sharks. Then, ultimately, I’ve got to get in the water afterwards and do the swim. I suppose you can imagine what I’ll be thinking about.”

Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day

Pugh said the swim will be among the most difficult he’s undertaken, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. 

No one has ever swum around the island of Martha’s Vineyard before.

But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes – and was this year named the United Nations Patron of the Oceans – said no swim is without risk and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across. 

Namely: around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day – a rate of 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks,” he said of Jaws. “It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them.”

He emphasises that the swim is not something non-professionals should attempt. He’s accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and kayak and uses a “Shark Shield” device that deters sharks using an electric field without harming them.

Pugh remembers feeling fear as a 16-year-old watching Jaws for the first time. Over decades of study and research, awe and respect have replaced his fear, as he realised the role they play in maintaining Earth’s increasingly fragile ecosystems.

“I’m more terrified of a world without sharks, or without predators,” he said.

The ‘Jaws’ effect on sharks

Jaws is credited for creating Hollywood’s blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, becoming the highest grossing film up until that time and earning three Academy Awards. It would impact how many viewed the ocean for decades to come.

Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley have expressed regret over the impact of the film on viewers’ perception of sharks. Both have since contributed to conservation efforts for animals, which have seen populations depleted due to factors like overfishing and climate change.

Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel each year release programming about sharks to educate the public about the predator.

Greg Skomal, marine fisheries biologist at Martha’s Vineyard Fisheries within the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said many people tell him they still won’t swim in the ocean because of the sheer terror caused by the film.

“I tend to hear the expression that, ‘I haven’t gone in the water since Jaws came out,’” he said.

But Skomal, who published a book challenging the film’s inaccuracies, said Jaws also inspired many people – including him – to study marine biology, leading to increased research, acceptance and respect for the creatures.

If Jaws were made today, he doesn’t think it’d have the same effect. But in the 1970s, “it was just perfect in terms of generating this level of fear to a public that was largely uneducated about sharks, because we were uneducated. Scientists didn’t know a lot about sharks.”

Skomal said the biggest threat contributing to the decline of the shark population now is commercial fishing, which exploded in the late 1970s and is today driven by high demand for fins and meat used in food dishes, as well as the use of skin to make leather and oil and cartilage for cosmetics.

“I think we’ve really moved away from this feeling, or the old adage that, ‘The only good shark is a dead shark,’” he said. “We’re definitely morphing from fear to fascination, or perhaps a combination of both.”

Jubilant fans hailed Neeraj Chopra as India’s greatest athlete after the two-time Olympic medallist shattered the elusive 90-metre barrier with a colossal throw of 90.23m at the 2025 Doha Diamond League. The historic feat, achieved on his third attempt, not only set a new national record but also elevated Neeraj into an elite club — becoming only the 25th man in history to cross the 90-metre mark in javelin.

The landmark throw came during the javelin final at the Qatar Sports Complex, where Neeraj began his campaign in style with a solid 88.44m on his very first attempt – immediately taking the world lead. His second effort was ruled a foul, but the 26-year-old roared back with a stunning third throw of 90.23m, launching the spear into history and improving upon his own previous best of 89.94m, set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.

Neeraj’s long-awaited 90m mark had been the only missing milestone in an already glittering career. With this throw, he not only rewrote the Indian national record but also silenced any lingering doubts about his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

Neeraj Chopra in Doha Diamond League: Highlights

Since bursting onto the global stage with a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Neeraj Chopra has redefined what’s possible for Indian athletics. He followed up with a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, claimed the World Championship title in 2023, and has been a consistent podium finisher at the Asian Games and in the Diamond League, which he also won once.

Friday’s performance in Doha adds another layer to his legacy – and perhaps the most symbolic one yet.

On social media, the response was euphoric. Jubilant fans hailed him as “India’s greatest-ever athlete” and a “national treasure,” celebrating a moment widely regarded as one of the most iconic in Indian sporting history.

Now that the 90m barrier has finally fallen, Neeraj’s focus will shift toward sustaining his dominance in a loaded Olympic cycle and inspiring a new generation of Indian athletes. The Doha feat is more than just a personal triumph – it is a defining milestone in Indian sporting history, one that will be remembered for years to come.

Neeraj Chopra’s 90.23m isn’t just a throw. It’s a statement. And India is listening

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Kevin Durant’s sharp response to FS1 analyst Emmanuel Acho has quickly gained traction online, sparking widespread discussions among fans and analysts. The exchange, which unfolded on X, highlights Durant’s reputation for defending his views and challenging commentary he finds misguided.

The controversy began when Acho claimed the Boston Celtics performed better with Jaylen Brown leading the charge instead of Jayson Tatum, citing mindset over talent. Durant responded by calling out Acho’s basketball expertise, criticizing “hot take artists” for diluting meaningful sports discussions. His remarks emphasized the gap between playing experience and external analysis, drawing a clear line between the two.

Acho defended his stance, suggesting his observations were rooted in a different perspective, not ignorance. He compared his experience of facing NFL legends like Adrian Peterson to Durant’s on-court battles, framing toughness as a universal trait. However, Durant’s rebuttal resonated strongly with fans, who applauded his blunt yet thoughtful response.

This isn’t the first time Durant has engaged in public debates with commentators or fans. Known for his candidness, he frequently challenges narratives that misrepresent players or the game itself. His direct approach often polarizes opinions but also garners respect for his willingness to address criticism head-on.

Kevin Durant’s Clapback at Former NFL Star Emmanuel Acho’s Take on Jayson Tatum’s Injury

Just recently, Durant went viral for blasting Acho after he dropped his take on Tatum. The reactions can be seen in a post shared by the NBA star on his official X account.

“Hot take artist have ruined the sport,” Durant tweeted. “Football guys, no disrespect but yall boys need to stay In ya lanes, u don’t know what it’s like it between these lines man give it a break. Dudes who quit football early to pursue media talkin mental toughness, cut it out.”

“One the few times I agree with you,” Kendrick Perkins said.

“Bro you couldn’t last one snap in the NFL but I hear your point,” a fan posted. “Once you retired you can’t talk about football bro then,” another added.

A follower shared, “Keep that same energy when you talking about football then. What are your thoughts on female referees who have never been “in between these lines man.”

“KD upset because everyone said the same with him and the warriors ,” a commenter remarked.

“Wow goat you fried him,” a sixth social media user reacted.

The viral nature of this exchange underscores the evolving relationship between athletes and media. Platforms like X provide athletes with a direct voice, allowing them to counter opinions in real time. Durant’s response highlights how players can shape narratives and defend their legacies against external critiques.

As the debate continues to trend, it reflects broader discussions about the role of analysts and the boundaries of sports commentary. Durant’s clapback not only defended his perspective but also reignited conversations about authenticity and expertise in modern sports media.

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USC Trojans defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart has made headlines for donating $10,000 to a student athlete recovery center for his high school, Edna Karr, in New Orleans, Louisiana. It appears as though the newest Trojan is making good use of his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Stewart participated in spring practices at USC as an early enrollee, and he participated in Edna Karr’s graduation ceremony in the spring as well. After congratulating his fellow graduates and thanking his teachers and coaches at Edna Karr, Stewart revealed his donation to the school.

The contribution to Edna Karr’s athletics program is not the first generous move that Stewart has made since signing with USC. In February, Stewart surprised his mom with a Jeep Wrangler.

Stewart was a high-profile prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, partially due to his elite ability on the football field but also because of his expected NIL valuation. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Stewart received an NIL deal over $1 million upon joining USC.

He was a consensus top-100 recruit in his class. 247sports had Stewart ranked as the No. 5 defensive lineman and the No. 34 overall prospect in 2025. The Trojans landed him over the likes of LSU and Ohio State.

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Once Stewart officially joined USC’s program, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley spoke to reporters about what Stewart is bringing to Southern California.

“Jahkeem is someone that we targeted very early on, the tough thing was so did everyone else. He’s a neat young man, we got to spend a lot of time with him, he was able to come out to LA several times throughout the process,” said Riley.

“Everybody sees the physical ability, the length, he has a very unique combination physically but I do think Jahkeem’s mentality, the way he attacks, his confidence, he has a really gritty, tough hardworking mentality,” continued Riley. “I think that is what really makes him such an outstanding prospect and what made him a dominant high school player.”

Despite the Trojans’ consistent efforts in recruiting Stewart, his decision was not finalized until the Early National Signing Period when he announced his commitment to Riley and USC. He was two spots away from five-star status in 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, but his commitment to the Trojans was the start of an elite recruiting run from USC.

Stewart and five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet are the headliners of USC’s 2025 recruiting class, and the Trojans are looking to bring in an elite number of talented high school recruits in 2026.

Trojans defensive line coach Eric Henderson was Stewart’s primary recruiter to USC, and he has since helped the Trojans build a top-ranked recruiting class in 2026. On the defensive line alone, USC holds commitments from four-star prospects Tomuhini Topui, Simote Katoanga, and Jaimeon Winfield.