Charles Barkley Heartwarmingly Surprised Ernie Johnson With Broadcasting Hall of Fame News

The longtime TNT host couldn’t believe it.

Ernie Johnson received some very special news from his TNT co-star Charles Barkley during Thursday night’s coverage of The Match.

Barkley told his longtime Inside the NBA co-worker Johnson that he will be inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The producers gave Barkley the job of sharing the news, which the NBA legend called an “honor and a privilege” to do so.

Johnson couldn’t believe it when Barkley broke the news. 

“Get out of here,” Johnson said. “Chuckster, what are you talking about? ... That is awesome. Thank you so much. ... I am humbled beyond words. Thank you so much, it means the world to me.”

Chuck surprised Ernie with the news that he will be inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame 👏 pic.twitter.com/GWH6aL7rs3

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 29, 2023

Johnson has worked with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports for 34 years, he said, and has worked in broadcasting for over four decades. He’s hosted Inside the NBA on TNT since 1990. He’s also helped with TBS’s coverage of MLB and the NCAA men’s basketball tournament each spring.

Fans were just as excited for Johnson earning this honor as they posted congratulations all over Twitter for the host.

Awww they genuinely surprised Ernie Johnson with Charles Barkley telling him he's going into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

So touching.

— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) June 29, 2023

Fantastic! Though yet another botching of the word “humbled” by the proper definition. Great honor though! https://t.co/AmGruGVBGv

— Ken Bud Sothman (@KenSothman) June 29, 2023

Well deserved. Ernie is a class act, a true professional and he can handle Charles Barkley, give him another award for that 👏👏👏

— Saqib Ahmed (@Saqib_hmed) June 29, 2023

Ernie Johnson is someone I’ve admired for a long time now, especially through my journey in the sports media world. Great to see his talent get recognized today! #CapitalOnesTheMatch https://t.co/DirHsw7uys

— Spencer Bates (@SpencerBates_) June 29, 2023

Ernie Johnson. 66 years old.
As good as they get in broadcasting.
Age doesn't matter. Experience and skill do.
Congratulations, Ernie! https://t.co/zWGT3ygv5j

— Scott (@JScott_2022) June 29, 2023

No one deserves the HOF more than Ernie Johnson

— Ritvik (@CantGuardRitvik) June 29, 2023

This is awesome. Ernie absolutely deserves this. SO happy for him. https://t.co/YcBhh3GGMB

— Felix (@FootballPapi) June 29, 2023