NBA legend Charles Barkley explains why he declined Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift wedding invite

NBA legend Charles Barkley has revealed why he turned down an invitation to the wedding of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift last month.

The 11-time NBA All-Star was one of roughly 1,000 people invited to attend the event at Madison Square Garden in July, but politely declined the invitation for the simple reason that he doesn't go to weddings.

A host of celebrities and public figures attended the ceremony, as well as friends and family of the couple. All those who were invited also signed non-disclosure agreements to ensure details of the day were not leaked in advance.

Although he is a close friend of both former NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, Barkley insisted he wouldn't even break his attendance rule for one of the most high-profile weddings of all-time.

"I don’t go to weddings. I love Travis. Him and Jason are great friends of mine. I got a lot of love and respect – I’ve only met Taylor one time, she’s an awesome person from a distance, and I’m happy for them. But I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m gonna politely decline,’" Barkley said on 'Pardon My Take.'

"Because I love both of those guys, Jason and Travis, a lot. I got a lotta love and respect for them, but like, nah, I’m not going to that zoo."

When further pressed on the decision to turn down an invite, Barkley added that he didn't want to overshadow the bride on her special day.

Barkley continued: "That’s the bride’s special day; let her enjoy herself. It’s your special day. I want her to have all the shine."

The 1993 NBA Most Valuable Player also went on to reveal that he never attended funerals either. Barkley insisted he would make exceptions for the closest people in his life, but had no interest in attending those of most people he knew.

He added: "If somebody is really special, I’ll make an exception. But I’m not going to somebody who is a casual friend of mine’s funeral. They don’t know I’m there, they're dead.

"If somebody is special to me, I will go. But I don’t really want to go and see somebody who I like, last time I saw them they was dead."

The sports stars who attended Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift wedding

A report from Page Six last month claimed several sports stars were in attendance for the wedding at Madison Square Garden.

It was claimed the entire starting five for the New York Knicks were on the guest list for the ceremony, which was held at the home of the NBA Championship-winning franchise.

Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were reportedly joined in attendance by several NFL stars, including many of Kelce's former Kansas City teammates.

San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle was also pictured alongside his wife Georgia during the build-up to the event.