Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns was unapologetic Wednesday after dumping a beer on a woman in a dispute over an autograph.
Debbie Hartel claimed Barkley was rude when she asked for more than one signature Sunday night at Dutch Johns, a restaurant in Scottsdale.But Tom Rosenbaum, owner of the Dutch Johns restaurant, didn't see it quite the same way.
"Barkley had been so nice all night and, in fact, he was nice after it was all over when the woman and her boyfriend left.
To tell you the truth, I probably would have thrown the beer on her too, or worse, because she was really out of line."
Hartel said after Barkley denied the extra autographs, the man with her urged her to return to Barkley's table, tear up the napkin and throw it back.
Hartel tore up the autograph, Barkley and Hartel exchanged words, and Barkley doused the woman with the beer, witnesses said.