Charles Barkley reveals Bill Belichick text message after UNC's brutal loss

The NBA legend says he's good friends with Bill Belichick and shares what he told the North Carolina Tar Heels football coach.

Jan 21, 2023; Phoenix Suns former player Charles Barkley in attendance at Footprint Center. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It's the old adage that you know who your true friends are when times are hard.

Well, Bill Belichick can count Charles Barkley amongst those that are truly in his inner circle.

RELATED: Bill Belichick’s gf Jordon Hudson’s facial expressions during UNC loss say it all

Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes after the game at Kenan Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

After the North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach's embarrassing home opening loss to the TCU Horned Frogs, 48-14, the six-time Super Bowl winning New England Patriots icon was unanimously crushed, especially after an offseason mostly dominated by off-the-field headlines thanks to his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, even catching strays from TCU star Bud Clark after the game.

RELATED: Bill Belichick’s gf Jordon Hudson flexes sparkly Tar Heels blue pants on UNC sideline

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Jordon Hudson, the girlfriend of Bill Belichick, in attendance at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Count Sir Charles as someone who still has his back, as the NBA legend told Bill Simmons on "The Bill Simmons Podcast."

"This [holiday] weekend, I was saying to myself, oh s**t, I would hate to be Arch Manning and Bill Belichick this week."

RELATED: Bill Belichick, girlfriend Jordon Hudson age difference in spotlight for UNC debut

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After going on a diatribe about how "the losers on TV" and the public would decimate the 73-year-old three-time NFL Coach of the Year, whose legacy is definitely taking a hit, Barkley, 62, said he had texted Belichick on Monday.

"I said, 'Hey man,' because Bill and me are close," Barkley revealed. "I said, 'I just want you to know, I know it's a lot of people hoping you fail. But I always want you to know you're my guy, and I'm rooting for you. Have a great season.'"

RELATED: Bill Belichick's ex-girlfriend Linda Holliday wears UNC colors in awkward timing

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with granddaughter Blakely after beating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

It's a heartwarming moment that hopefully gave Belichick some solace as he had to do the postgame press conference in front of a sorority balloon-filled looking backdrop as Hudson awkwardly waited for him to be done.

A lot to clean up from Bill Belichick’s college debut, starting with the tackiest postgame press conference setup in football history. https://t.co/ZHJQKisdfy

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 2, 2025

In good times and in bad, that's what friends are for. Barkley might have to send a lot more words of encouragement if this keeps up.

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