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Full Interview With Richard Sherman Tonight; Barkley On Celebrity Culture And Role Models; Republicans To Hold Early Convention; 56th Grammy Awards Kick Off Sunday

Aired January 24, 2014 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Just about the bottom of the hour. You are watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. You know, Richard Sherman. We've been talking about this guy all week. This is the guy who helped his team get into the Super Bowl. If not for him, we'll be talking about the 49ers. This is a guy who made the brilliant deflection into the game Sunday and then he went ballistic. I know you have seen this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD SHERMAN, CORNERBACK, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Don't you ever talk about me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who was talking about you?

SHERMAN: Crabtree, don't you open your mouth about the best. I will shut it for you real quick.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: OK, I want you to watch the end of the game more time. Richard Sherman making this great play against 49ers Michael Crabtree. You may have heard the two kind of have this history and I want you to watch actually what happened as Richard Sherman is about to break out of this run over to Crabtree. Here they were.

Sherman offered his hand. You can see it that way, saying nice game. Michael Crabtree blew him off and then Sherman went off a matter of seconds later. So believe it or not, Richard Sherman's agent tells CNN today his client now stands to make a lot more money in endorsements.

And tonight CNN's Rachel Nichols unveiled her full interview with Sherman. We saw a piece of it earlier this week. It's a good tease, my friend.

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN HOST, "UNGUARDED": Yes, thank you very much. As you said, the agent told CNN that Richard's endorsement opportunities increased since this all happened. In fact, he said his client who by the way is a fifth round pick and defensive player. Usually not the kinds of people with national commercials, but that he stands to make about $5 million this off season.

So it was interesting to sit down with Richard and really catch the wave of reaction to him throughout this whole week because there was a huge backlash against him, of course, Brooke, after his outburst. There was really a backlash against the backlash. A lot of people are making a point and saying how much they supported Sherman.

I was able to sit down and talk to him not only about the differing reactions to him, but how quickly race started to enter into it. Some people throwing at him very specific racial slurs and use of the "n" word, but also that coded racial language as he put it at one point trying to put him in his place. He had a lot of smart things to say about that. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERMAN: I think it used to be the n word. Now they are using thug instead of the n word. As a more accepted way of saying it. It's still sad. What was thug about what I did? I said something about guy, about a football game. I didn't go talking about him like fighting the guy. I'm going to go blow his car up or anything like that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NICHOLS: You can, of course, see the Stanford education with Richard Sherman. He was great talking about this and talking about a lot of subjects about what it's like to play in today's NFL and also just his journey. He started out in Compton, L.A. and went to Stanford and made it in the NFL after he wasn't sure he was going to get drafted at one point. It's really fascinating.

BALDWIN: We'll be watching your full interview with Richard Sherman as you sit down with him one on one. Also talking about going the NBA commissioner, David Stern, I think his last day is February 1st. Tonight, "Unguarded" at 10:30 p.m. Eastern. Rachel Nichols, as always, a pleasure.

Look at this guy, do you really need an introduction, the legendary Charles Barkley joining me now, part of the family, TNT basketball analyst. Nice to see you. Fresh off a plane. Thank you for coming by. Talking about Richard Sherman, I'm curious first if, so many times we watch the post-game and the guys say great game did you think it was refreshing hearing a guy really speak his mind?

CHARLES BARKLEY, TNT BASKETBALL ANALYST: That doesn't bother me at all. I thought it was in the heat of the moment. He said something earlier this week about he was glad he had a microphone on. That changed the dynamic of the relationship. If you try to shake a guy's hand and he don't want to shake your hand that is going to make you mad.

BALDWIN: He wasn't going to shake his hand. He said good game in a different way. You think he meant that?

BARKLEY: You saw it on the tape. Good game. Good game and held his hand out. That to me is I think people overreacted. It bothered me for the simple fact that a guy can go from class and go to Stanford working on his masters and the 15 sound bite. People can get like that. It's a learning lesson. You people they want to you stay in your place. It's like we like you as a player and you are all right, but I like the other things you said about when people throw the term around, thug, calling him monkey and thing, that's pseudo for the n word.

BALDWIN: We heard he said that is pseudo for the n word.

BARKLEY: Of course, it is. Every black person knows that. A couple of people used that as a slur, but people also do say street things.

BALDWIN: Think of Tupac in the 90s, saying thug was cool. What changed?

BARKLEY: We have this great debate. I used the "n" word. We are not going to stop using it. I don't care what anybody says. We are going to use it. I know the difference when my friends use it and somebody is trying to insult me. It's fascinating when we go back to no disrespect to Pauley Deen, people used the n word and they turn it on us. We know what it means towards each other.

BALDWIN: Do you say thug?

BARKLEY: Not really. Not really. I'm not sure the context I would use it in, but it is a racial slur. They use those terms and that's what they mean.

BALDWIN: What about the fact that there a lot of young kid who is want to be Charles Barkley and Richard Sherman and see what this outburst on the field did and it may change their perception of them. They said it was wrong and he reminded me of this chip of you 20 years ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARKLEY: I am not a role model. I'm not paid to be a role model. I'm paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball, doesn't mean I should raise your kids.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: All of the years later, do you stand by that?

BARKLEY: Of course, I do. The greatest thing I have done in my life. For some reason, I saw Terrence on your show the other day and he doesn't have a clue what my commercial is. The only guy that got criticized are going kids to listen to their parents. That's how you know a lot of the parents are full of it.

The reason I made the commercial. I knew it was going to start and I stick by that. For some reason, we got these black kids that are brainwashed. They told us we can only play sports and be rappers. We can be doctors and lawyers and engineers and policemen. Our only role models don't have to be jocks and entertainer.

We famous black celebrities make so much money for the system, they pump us up and then when we screw up, they crucify us. I want these young black kids to know they don't have to be Jay-Z or Charles Barkley or Richard Sherman. He went to Stanford. They may not play in the NFL, but I want all of them to be like Richard Sherman.

I am not sure I am smart enough to drive by Stanford. That's the reason I made the commercial. All our role models don't have to be jocks and entertainers. That's why I made it. I saw that and Terrence doesn't have a clue.

BALDWIN: This is a long time sports columnist.

BARKLEY: Are we role models, to a certain degree. If your kids have success like me, you should be counting your blessings. I know I'm successful and so is Richard Sherman. Not because he's a great football player. He seems like a good kid.

BALDWIN: Stay with me. I'm not finished with you. I would love to talk celebrity culture and temptation. David Stern is out with a question about the NBA and a video you have to see, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: I want to continue. A fascinating conversation with you, Charles Barkley, and let me pick up with celebrity culture. You lived the ups and downs. This week, the last 24 hours, have been inundated with the Justin Bieber news. Knowing what you know now as a more mature self, what would you tell the Charles Barkley of 22, 23, 24?

BARKLEY: Well, I think it's different now with the social media and cell phones. Everything is out there now. Everything is out there. Guys try to break stories on celebrity and whether they are true or not, it doesn't matter. Everybody is making money. You are making money too now, don't get me wrong. Everybody is making money.

Let's take Justin Bieber, for example. He sells a lot of roars and they make money, he makes money. When he does something like in Miami, they make money also. Fame is a very interesting thing. It's a big money maker for everyone.

BALDWIN: Have you ever hated it?

BARKLEY: No, because I think the pros outweigh the cons. When you grow up poor in Alabama with a single mom and grandmother and two younger brothers, I didn't know what it entailed. My life has been amazing. I don't take anything personally. No social media. I don't worry about what everybody said. I will not do Twitter and I don't do Facebook and Instagram and any of that stuff. I will never do it.

I don't feel the need. The thing that has been more interesting, it doesn't matter what you say. Half the people agree and half the people disagree. It's like you are a politician and a Democrat. You can't make everybody happy. One thing about the lime light is about being homecoming queen. All the ugly girls hate you. People dislike you for no reason. You don't have to give a reason.

BALDWIN: They hate you because they want to hate you. BARKLEY: When I was in high school, me and my friends didn't like the smart kids. We didn't realize it's not their fault they are smart and doing well. It was our fault for not doing better. We were not jealous at the time. You are not sure what you word is. We don't like them because they have been chipper every day.

I'm older now and it was not their fault we were not doing better. You don't be jealous of other people's accomplishments. That's the way it is in the lime light. People are going to take shots at you and I choose to not ever look at my computer and what everyone is saying.

BALDWIN: Some are guilty themselves. You are not on social media. They give the gifts on the platforms and that's fodder for everyone talking. Let me switch gears because I want to talk basketball. We know David stern and the NBA commissioner is almost finished. I'm curious would you want the job?

BARKLEY: No. I don't ever want a real job. I will be in a couple of weeks. I never had a real job. Let me say this about Commissioner Stern. I faced his wrath five or six times for doing stupid stuff. He's an amazing man. He came into the NBA the same year together. As he leaves 30 years later, the average salary is $5.5 million. We are a global game. We have hundreds and hundreds of countries.

He has done a remarkable job. To look in the 80s, they looked at the pseudo, a bunch of thugs doing drugs and blah, blah, blah. They started the ripple effect and Michael Jordan took it to an entire new level. You have Kobe and Lebron and those guys, and Kevin Durant.

But what he has done in the last 30 years, like I said, they take the average salary of 400 players in the NBA. You take the average salary from $250,000 to $5.5 million is remarkable.

BALDWIN: But what's the one thing if you could change one thing about the NBA, Charles Barkley, what would it be?

BARKLEY: I would like the kids to stay in college longer. I think we bring a lot of guys into the NBA who were not mentally or physically ready. College is a good time and it's not always just about the money. I don't hate on people for wanting money, God bless them. We are not putting a good product out there. The NBA is not where I want to be. I'm a fan first and foremost.

BALDWIN: Have you seen the reports. My own alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill, specifically reading at an incredibly remedial level in college.

BARKLEY: You know, Brooke, that's the thing. Listen, I'm not going to hate on basketball. Basketball has given me everything in my life. We have a system in place. We have a lot of young kids making billions and billions of dollars for the people up top. They are not getting educated. That's what I talk about. I don't want them thinking they are going to be Charles Barkley. The schools have not done a good job.

BALDWIN: What are about the teachers and the parents? BARKLEY: listen, I tell the parents are the role models. I'm glad you showed the whole thing. Most people said I'm not a role model.

BALDWIN: We are seeing it. Come on.

BARKLEY: I told the kids, listen to your parents. Your parents are the most influential people in your life. They are under tremendous stress to win, make money and win. You can graduate all your players. If don't win, you are going to get fired. It's the unique dynamic and the bottom line is these colleges have to do a better job educating the players. Less than 1 percent are going to play pro sports. I'm not worried about that 1 percent. I'm worried about the 99 percent.

BALDWIN: This is getting deep.

BARKLEY: I like deep.

BALDWIN: I'm glad you came by. Before we go, just for fun, roll the video.

BARKLEY: My goodness.

BALDWIN: What? Charles, what is that?

BARKLEY: I got --

BALDWIN: play it again. Pause, pause, pause, and wait. Boom!

BARKLEY: I don't know what's worse. My golf swing or how fat I was back then.

BALDWIN: Where did you learn that?

BARKLEY: It's not learned. It's a subliminal screw up basically. It's a subliminal screw up. I love playing golf though.

BALDWIN: This is my -- my form post swing. I'm not great. This is the biggest divet ever. I took a chunk out of the grass.

BARKLEY: As long as you play golf, people know I play golf and fish a lot. Those are the places I can get peace and quiet. I love fishing and golfing. I don't worry about sucking at golf.

BALDWIN: There bigger things. Broncos or Seahawks?

BARKLEY: I haven't decided yet. I'm going to bet on the game, but I haven't decided. Broncos started off as an underdog and now they are a 2 1/2 point favorite. I will study how everything goes. I haven't made a decision.

BALDWIN: You are betting on the game?

BARKLEY: What do you think football is for?

BALDWIN: How much does Charles Barkley bet? BARKLEY: I can't tell you. My grandmother -- it's going to be at least a couple of -- you have to make it worth your while. I love football. Football and boxing and MMA are my three favorite sports because it takes courage to get out there. It takes tremendous courage to do those sports and they are my favorite sports.

BALDWIN: Fishing, golfing, and MMA, Charles Barkley, such a pleasure. We should do this weekly. Let's have a date weekly.

BARKLEY: Come on.

BALDWIN: Thank you so much.

BARKLEY: Thanks for having me.

BALDWIN: On that, we will be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The Republican Party will nominate its choice for president way early next time. Today in Washington, the party approved a plan to hold its big convention in 2016 in June. It's normally late in the summer. Party Chairman Reince Priebus, here he is right here. He said the change will put Republican voters in the driver's seat, not the liberal media.

Gloria Borger joins me now from Washington, our chief political analyst. Gloria, the obvious is why do this? Maybe you can tell us what he is talking about, this contest out of what he is calling the hands of liberal media.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Look, what he is trying to do is exert control over the process by which they nominate a candidate. I think there was a widespread feeling among Republicans that the primary process was way too elongated last time and that the convention was too late. Mitt Romney could not spend enough money to hit back at Barack Obama.

So there are a couple of things going on. First of all, condensing the primary process instead of six months to about four months, which means fewer debates, when he is talking about the liberal media, Brooke, he is probably talking about debates and he is probably talking about stories that can be written about Republicans attacking Republicans.

When have a long primary process. The reason they moved up the convention to June as opposed to August is that they can have access to general election money. If you will recall last time, Mitt Romney was getting hit on Bane Capital being out spent three to one by President Obama who had raised a lot more money.

And he couldn't get access to his big pile of general election money until right after the convention. He went all summer without being able to answer the ads in the way he wanted to. It was a big problem.

BALDWIN: But what else? It was a big loss for the Republicans in 2012. How else does this moving it up, fit with what they have?

BORGER: So part of it is the mechanics of moving it up so Republicans don't form circular firing squads and hurt themselves and the party. That's what people believe occurred last time during the primaries. The other part -- you have the mechanics. The other part is the policy side.

What he is trying to do is start reaching out to those minority voters and the younger voters. They haven't been able to reach out to. He has minority outreach plans in 16 states. For example, what he can't prevent though is a potential presidential candidate like Mike Huckabee talking about women's libidos as he did yesterday.

He can't control the language of candidates. He did say we have to be careful, but there things he can control and that's what he is trying to do. He is saying I will make this easier for a republican to get elected president.

BALDWIN: So they hope. Gloria Borger, thank you very much. Back in a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Some of your favorite musical artists headed to Los Angeles today for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. LL Cool J is hosting the biggest night. It could be bigger for Robin Thicke, Lorde, Bruno Mars among several nominated for record of the year.

Tom O'Neil, our Grammy expert is joining me now. I love watching this, the people performing. We know we have this exciting semi- Beatles reunion with Paul McCartney and Ringo Star. You think they may throw somebody else on stage with them?

TOM O'NEIL, GRAMMY EXPERT: That would be part of the big jamboree. Of course, it's the 50th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America. They can't let it go with just that. They will mention Robin Thicke paired with Chicago and we will see it's a great lineup that way.

BALDWIN: Let's get to the music. Let's get to you prediction starting with album of the year, you picked, Lemore?

O'NEIL: Mclemore and Ryan Lewis to win for the heist. This is the second biggest album of the year in terms of sales. They did not have a big record label behind them and they are facing off against Taylor Swift who had odd eight experts. Say Mclemore will take this. Three say Taylor Swift. This race is wide open.

BALDWIN: They love to dance. Record of the year, who is your pick?

O'NEIL: I think this is going to go to Royals by Lorde. She is the 17-year-old artist.

BALDWIN: At 17. That's amazing.

O'NEIL: I know. She is a singer songwriter so we have to take her seriously. It's in air play right now, but watch out for "Locked Out of Heaven." It's also nominated for song of the year and some people think get "Lucky" by Death Punk will win.

BALDWIN: OK, we'll be watching. Tom O'Neill, thank you.