“Call Dan Marino and tell him to let Tua wear his number, man,” Barkley told ESPN Miami-based radio host Dan Le Batard during an appearance on Monday.
Barkley said the Philadelphia 76ers, who retired his No. 34 jersey, called him several years ago to ask if another player could wear his number.
“I asked, ‘is he a good player?’ ‘Yeah, he’s going to be a good player,’” Barkley said recollecting the conversation. “I said ‘no problem.’ Because my name is retired – the number isn’t retired.
“So call Dan Marino, who I love to death, and say ‘you’re Dan Marino and you’re always going to be.