Charles Barkley recalls Ernie Johnson's cancer diagnosis two decades ago in recent fundraiser

Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson (Photo: BR_NBA/Twitter)
Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson (Photo: BR_NBA/Twitter)

Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson have been working together on Inside the NBA since 2000. Barkley was present when Johnson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003. The former MVP recalled his colleague's ordeal in a recent fundraiser for cancer research.

According to Michael Minnich of Blue Gold News, Barkley attended West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Bob Huggins' fundraiser in Morgantown. The Hall of Fame forward discussed how cancer has affected him in his life, mentioning Johnson's battle almost two decades ago.

"That was traumatic for us at TNT because we call him 'The Godfather,'" Barkley said. "We noticed something about his neck. He didn't want anybody to know. He was covering it up with makeup for months and months. It just got so big. We were all heartbroken because you never know how this thing is going to end."
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Ernie Johnson kicked the cancer's behind after undergoing treatment in 2006. Johnson kept his diagnosis private, continuing his work for Turner Sports despite battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. As per the MD Anderson Center in Texas, Johnson also survived prostate cancer.

Charles Barkley also praised all those who attended the fundraiser. Barkley is a close friend of Bob Huggins, who expects this year's funds will be more than $2.8 million.

"I would do anything for this guy," Barkley said. "I want to thank every single one of you in this building, because you could have done anything tonight. Time is the most valuable asset in this world."

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Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith pay tribute to Ernie Johnson's mother

Inside the NBA crew.
Inside the NBA crew.

Ernie Johnson has been absent on Inside the NBA for the past two weeks. Johnson is mourning the death of his mother, Lois Johnson, who passed away on Jan. 17 at the age of 94.

Kevin Frazier filled in for Ernie on last week's show, while Adam Lefkoe was tasked to do it earlier this week. In last week's edition of Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith all paid tribute to the matriarch of the Johnson family.

Barkley called Mrs. Johnson a great parent to Ernie, her kids and to all of them in the studio. "The Jet" called the crew's bond as something much bigger than basketball, while Shaq praised her for raising Ernie, who he thinks is the greatest gentleman he has ever met.

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Edited by Juan Paolo David