Tribute To The Big Fella And The Legend Of Shaquille O’Neal – Part 2 – His Life After the NBA
After his 1996 experience, he declined to play in international competition. He was angered by being overlooked for the 1999 FIBA AmeriCup squad, saying it was a “lack of respect”. He forwent an opportunity to participate in the 2000 Olympics, explaining that two gold medals were enough. O’Neal also chose not to play in the 2002 FIBA World Championship. He rejected an offer to play in the 2004 Olympics…..albeit he was initially interested in being named for 2006–2008 US preliminary roster, he eventually declined the invitation.
Olympics – 1996 – Atlanta Summer Games Mens Basketball Highlights -USA Dream Team II Vs Australia – Featuring Big Men Hakeem Olajuwon + David Robinson + Shaquille O’Neal
O’Neal established himself as an overpowering low post presence, putting up career averages of 23.7 points on .582 field goal accuracy, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. At 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), 330 lb (150 kg) and U.S. shoe size 23…..as he became famous for his physical stature…..while his physical frame gave him a power advantage over most opponents. On two occasions during his 1st season in the NBA, his powerful dunks broke the steel backboard supports….which prompted the league to increase the brace strength and stability of the backboards for the following 1993–94 season.
NBA – 2016 – NBA Open Court Basketball 101 With Rick Barry Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: A Big Man’s World”
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – NBA Highlights Special – “The NBA Career of Shaquille O’Neal”
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – NBA Zone Special – “How Good Was Shaquille O’Neal?: Shaq In His Prime”
O’Neal’s “drop step”, (called the “Black Tornado” by O’Neal) in which he posted up a defender, turned around and, using his elbows for leverage, powered past him for a very high-percentage slam dunk…..which proved an effective offensive weapon. In addition, O’Neal frequently used a right-handed jump hook shot to score near the basket. The ability to dunk contributed to his career field goal accuracy of .582…..which is 2nd only to Artis Gilmore as the highest field goal percentage of all time. He led the NBA in field goal percentage 10 times, breaking Wilt Chamberlain‘s record of nine. Opposing teams often used up many fouls on O’Neal, reducing the playing time of their own big men. O’Neal’s imposing physical presence inside the paint caused dramatic changes in many teams’ offensive and defensive strategies.
NBA – 2013 – Shot Mechanics Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Black Tornado Move”
NBA – 2020 – NBA Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Spin Cycle Footwork & Post Up Skills”
NBA – 2020 – Clutch Point Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Low Post Master”
NBA – 2015 – NBA Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Blazing Speed and Quickness”
O’Neal’s primary weakness was his free throw shooting…..with a career average of 52.7%…..as he once missed all 11 of his free throw attempts in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics on December 8, 2000, a record….while O’Neal believes his free throw woes were a mental issue…..since he often shot 80 percent in practice. In hope of exploiting O’Neal’s poor foul shooting, opponents often committed intentional fouls against him, a tactic known as “Hack-a-Shaq“. The fact remains that O’Neal was the 3rd-ranked player all-time in free throws taken, having attempted 11,252 free-throws in 1,207 games up to and including the 2010–11 season. On December 25, 2008, O’Neal missed his 5,000th free throw…..while becoming the 2nd player in NBA history to do so, along with Chamberlain.
NBA – 2000 – NBA Finals Highlights Special – Lakers Vs Pacers – “Shaquille O`Neal: 39 Free Throw Attempts”
NBA – 2008 – NBA Playoffs – Western Conference 1st Round Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Hack A Shaq, A Disgrace To The Game”
O’Neal only made one three-point shot during his entire career. He made the shot during the 1995–96 NBA season with the Orlando Magic…..while his career three-point-shot record is 1 for 22 (a 4.5% career percentage).
NBA – 1992 To 2022 – Hoopz Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Three Pointer Compilation”
O’Neal was a capable defender, named three times to the All-NBA 2nd Defensive Team…..when his presence intimidated opposing players shooting near the basket….plus, he averaged 2.3 blocked shots per game over the course of his career.
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – NBA Highlights Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Defensive Highlights Compilation”
Phil Jackson believed O’Neal underachieved in his career…..while saying he “could and should have been the MVP player for 10 consecutive seasons.” The Lakers retired his # 34 jersey on April 2, 2013. On February 26, 2016, the Miami Heat announced that it would retire O’Neal’s # 32 jersey during the 2016–17 season…..thus making O’Neal one of just 32 athletes in American professional sports history to have their jersey retired by multiple teams. The Heat eventually retired his jersey on December 22, 2016, during halftime of a game against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA & Interview – 2015 – In Depth With Graham Benzinger Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: How Phil Jackson Helped Me Win MVP Award”
NBA – 2013 – Los Angeles Lakers Special Ceremony – Shaquille O’Neal Lakers Jersey # 34 Retirement Ceremony
NBA – 2016 – Miami Heat Halftime Special – “Full Ceremony: Heat Retire # 32 of Shaquille O’Neal”
NBA – 2017 – Los Angeles Lakers Full Ceremony Special – “The Unveiling of the Lakers Shaquille O’Neal Statue”
O’Neal called himself “The Big Aristotle” and “Hobo Master” for his composure and insights during interviews…..while journalists and others gave O’Neal several nicknames, including “Shaq”, “The Diesel”, “Shaq Fu“, “The Big Daddy”, “Superman“, “The Big Agave“, “The Big Cactus”, “The Big Shaqtus”, “The Big Galactus“, “Wilt Chamberneezy“, “The Big Baryshnikov“, “The Real Deal”, “The Big Shamrock“, “The Big Leprechaun“, “Shaqovic”, and “The Big Conductor”. Albeit The Big Shaqtus was a favorite interviewee of the press, O’Neal was sensitive and often went weeks without speaking….. and when he did not want to speak with the press, he employed an interview technique whereby, sitting in front of his cubicle, he would murmur in his low-pitched voice.
NBA – 2020 – TNT Special – “Shaq Life: What Shaq Learned from his Stepfather”
During the 2000 Screen Actors Guild strike, O’Neal performed in a commercial for Disney. O’Neal was fined by the union for crossing the picket line.
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – Special – “Sports Century: Shaquille O’Neal”
O’Neal’s humorous and sometimes incendiary comments fueled the Los Angeles Lakers’ long-standing rivalry with the Sacramento Kings…..whom he frequently referred to the Sacramento team as the “Queens”. During the 2002 victory parade, O’Neal declared that Sacramento would never be the capital of California, after the Lakers beat the Kings in a tough seven-game series en route to its 3rd championship with O’Neal.
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – Special – “Shaq Bloopers On Full Display”
He also received media flak for mocking Chinese people when interviewed about newcomer center Yao Ming…..as The Big Conductor” told a reporter, “you tell Yao Ming, ching chong yang, wah, ah so.” O’Neal later said it was locker room humor and he meant no offense…..as Yao believed that O’Neal was joking…..but he said many Asians wouldn’t see the humor. Yao joked, “Chinese is hard to learn. I had trouble with it when I was little.” O’Neal later expressed regret for the way he treated Yao early in his career.
NBA & Interview – 2019 – First We Eat Interview With Sean Evans Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Tries to Not Make a Face While Eating Spicy Wings Called The Hot Ones”
During the 2005 NBA playoffs, O’Neal compared his poor play to Erick Dampier, a Dallas Mavericks center who had failed to score a single point in one of their recent games…..as the quip inspired countless citations and references by announcers during those playoffs…..albeit Dampier himself offered little response to the insult. The two would meet in the 2006 NBA Finals. O’Neal was very vocal with the media, often making jabs at former Laker teammate Kobe Bryant. In the summer of 2005…..when asked about Bryant, he responded, “I’m sorry, who?”…..and continued to pretend that he did not know who Bryant was until well into the 2005–06 season.
NBA – 2020 – Special Tribute – “Shaquille O’Neal Speaks at A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant”
O’Neal also appeared on television on Saturday Night Live (he was initially picked to host the 2nd episode of season 24 in 1998…..but had to back down due to scheduling conflicts…..while being replaced by Kelsey Grammer….. however, he did appear in two sketches during the episode…..and in 2007 hosted Shaq’s Big Challenge, a reality show on ABC in which he challenged Florida kids to lose weight and stay in shape.
NBA – 2018 – Inside The NBA Special – “Shaq Can’t Stop Laughing At People Impersonating Him On SNL!”
When the Lakers faced the Heat on January 16, 2006, O’Neal and Bryant made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game….. which was an event that was believed to signify the end of the so-called “Bryant–O’Neal feud“ that had festered since O’Neal left Los Angeles…..as O’Neal was quoted as saying that he accepted the advice of NBA legend Bill Russell to make peace with Bryant. On June 22, 2008, O’Neal freestyled a diss rap about Bryant in a New York club…..when while rapping, O’Neal blamed Bryant for his divorce from his wife Shaunie…..and claims to have received a vasectomy, as part of a rhyme. He also taunted Bryant for not being able to win a championship without him…..when O’Neal led the audience to mockingly chant several times “Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes”….. as “Shaqovic” justified his act by saying “I was freestyling. That’s all. It was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever. That is what MC’s do. They freestyle when called upon. I’m totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all.” …..albeit even other exponents of hip hop, such as Snoop Dogg, Nas and Cory Gunz, agreed with O’Neal…..while Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio expressed his intention to relieve O’Neal of his Maricopa County sheriff posse badge, due to “use of a racially derogatory word and other foul language”. The racial quote from his song was “it’s like a white boy trying to be more nigga than me.”
Rap Music & NBA – 2009 – Freestyle Special – “Shaq + Spud Webb Freestyle About Kobe and Life”
Rap Music & NBA – 2020 – Slick City Studios Freestyle Special – “Shaq Freestyle Tribute To Kobe”
Beginning in 1993, O’Neal began to compose rap music…..when he released five studio albums and 1 compilation album…..albeit his rapping abilities were criticized at the outset, one critic credited him with “progressing as a rapper in small steps, not leaps and bounds”. His 1993 debut album, Shaq Diesel, received platinum certification from the RIAA.
Music – 2018 – From The Rap Album Shaq Diesel – Shaquille O’Neal – “I’m Outstanding”
Music – 2018 – From The Rap Album Shaq Diesel – Shaquille O’Neal – ” What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)”
O’Neal was featured alongside Michael Jackson as a guest rapper on “2 Bad”, a song from Jackson’s 1995 album HIStory. He contributed three tracks, including the song “We Genie”, to the Kazaam soundtrack. O’Neal was also featured in Aaron Carter’s 2001 hit single “That’s How I Beat Shaq“…..when Wilt Chamberneezy” also appears in the music video for the release.
Animation & NBA – 2018 – NBA on TNT Special – “Audio Toon with Some Untold Stories About Michael Jackson + Shaq Daddy + Sir Charles
Shaquille O’Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall on December 20, 2010.
Music & NBA – 2011 – Boston Pops Concert Special – Conducted by Shaquille O’Neal
O’Neal also started DJing in the 1980s at LSU…..and currently, he produces electronic music and tours the world under the stage name, DIESEL and managed by Medium Rare.
Music & NBA – 2019 – DJ Diesel Live at Tomorrowland Belgium – “Comin’ To The Mosh Pit”
In July 2017, O’Neal released a diss track aimed at LaVar Ball, the father of NBA point guard Lonzo Ball…..as the three-minute song was released in response to Ball claiming him and his younger son LaMelo, would beat O’Neal and his son Shareef in a game of basketball.
Music & NBA – 2017 – Official Music Video – “Shaq Attack: Shaquille O’Neal INSANE Lavar Ball Diss Track!”
On October 23, 2021, O’Neal performed his first ever set as DJ DIESEL on the bassPOD stage at the 2021 Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, Nevada.
NBA – 2022 – Special – “Undercover Lyft with Shaquille O’Neal” – HILLARIOUS!!!
O’Neal left LSU for the NBA after three years…..however, he promised his mother he would eventually return to his studies and complete his bachelor’s degree…..when he fulfilled that promise in 2000 by earning his B.A. degree in general studies from LSU…..with a minor in political science…..while Coach Phil Jackson let O’Neal miss a home game so he could attend graduation. At the ceremony, he told the crowd “now I can go and get a real job”. Subsequently, O’Neal earned an online MBA degree through the University of Phoenix in 2005. In reference to his completion of his MBA degree, he stated: “It’s just something to have on my resume for when I go back into reality. Someday I might have to put down a basketball and have a regular 9-to-5 like everybody else.”
NBA – 1985 To 2022 – Rebound Special – “20 Things You Didn’t Know About SHAQ”
Toward the end of his playing career, he began work on an educational doctorate at Barry University. His doctoral capstone topic was “The Duality of Humor and Aggression in Leadership Styles”. O’Neal received his Ed.D. degree in Human Resource Development from Barry in 2012. O’Neal told a reporter for ABC News that he plans to further his education by attending law school.
NBA- 2019 – Personal Profile Special – “10 Ridiculously Expensive Things Shaquille O’Neal Owns”
In 2009, O’Neal attended the Sportscaster U. training camp at S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, saying “You have to know what you’re doing… I needed to learn the secrets”. O’Neal has also studied directing and cinematography with the New York Film Academy’s Filmmaking Conservatory.
NBA – 2021 – Special – “Stupidly Expensive Things Shaquille O’Neal Owns In His Megamillion $$$ Empire”
O’Neal maintained a high level of interest in the workings of police departments…..and became personally involved in law enforcement…..as he went through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Reserve Academy…..and became a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Port Police. On March 2, 2005, O’Neal was given an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal title….while being named the spokesman for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation…..where he served an honorary role on the task force of the same name…..which tracks down sexual predators who target children on the Internet. Upon his trade to Miami, O’Neal began training to become a Miami Beach reserve officer…..and on December 8, 2005, he was sworn in…..but elected for a private ceremony to avoid distracting attention from the other officers…..when he assumed a $1-per-year salary in this capacity. Shortly thereafter, in Miami, O’Neal witnessed a hate crime (assaulting a man while calling out homophobic slurs) and called Miami-Dade police, describing the suspect and helping police, over his cell phone, track the offender. O’Neal’s actions resulted in the arrest of two suspects on charges of aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime. In September 2006, O’Neal took part in a raid on a home in rural Bedford County, Virginia…..where O’Neal had been made an “honorary deputy” by the local sheriff’s department. O’Neal was not qualified as a SWAT officer. On January 20, 2015, O’Neal was sworn in as a reserve officer for Doral, Florida’s police force. In December 2016, O’Neal was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy in Jonesboro, Georgia, as part of Clayton County, Georgia Sheriff’s Department. O’Neal holds the county record of Tallest Sheriff’s Deputy.
Movie & NBA – 2017 – Movieclips Presents Scene from Grown Ups 2 – “Officers Fluzoo (Shaquille O’Neal) and Dante (Peter Dante) Help the Guys Get to the Ballet Recital on Time”
News & NBA – 2018 – Business Insider News Presents – “Shaq Will Run For Sheriff In 2020”
NBA & Talk Shows – 2020 – Jimmy Kimmel Live With Shaquille O’Neal – “On George Floyd, Discrimination & Talking to His Sons”
Starting with Blue Chips and Kazaam, O’Neal appeared in films that were panned by some critics. O’Neal is one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture, having starred as John Henry Irons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Steel. He is preceded only by Michael Jai White, whose film Spawn was released two weeks before Steel. O’Neal appeared as himself on an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, bedridden after Larry David’s character accidentally tripped him while stretching…..and in two episodes each of My Wife and Kids and The Parkers. He appeared in cameo roles in the films Freddy Got Fingered, Jack and Jill and Scary Movie 4. O’Neal appeared in the 311 music video for the hit single “You Wouldn’t Believe” in 2001, in P. Diddy’s video for “Bad Boy for Life”, the video for Aaron Carter’s “That’s How I Beat Shaq“, the video for Owl City’s “Vanilla Twilight” and the video for Maroon 5‘s “Don’t Wanna Know“. O’Neal appeared in the movie CB4 in a small “interviewing” scene. O’Neal appeared in a SportsCenter commercial dressed in his Miami police uniform, rescuing Mike the Tiger from a tree. O’Neal reportedly wanted a role in X2 (2003), the 2nd installment of the X-Men film series…..but was ignored by the filmmakers. O’Neal appeared as Officer Fluzoo in the comedy sequel Grown Ups 2.
Movie – 1994 – Official Trailer from Movie Blue Chips – Starring Nick Nolte & Shaquille O’Neal
Movie – 1994 – Movieclips Special from Movie Blue Chips – Featuring Scene Where Coach Pete Bell Meets Neon Boudeaux
Movie – 1994 – Movieclips Special from Movie Blue Chips – Featuring Scene Where Neon Boudeaux Goes To College
Movie – 1994 – Official Trailer from Movie Kazaam – Starring Shaquille O’Neal + Francis Capra + Ally Walker
He voiced animated versions of himself on several occasions, including in the animated series Static Shock (2002; episode “Static Shaq”), in Johnny Bravo (1997; episode “Back on Shaq”), in Uncle Grandpa (2014; episode “Perfect Kid”), and in The Lego Movie (2014). He also had a voice over role in the 2013 film The Smurfs 2.
NBA & Animation – 1997 – Johnny Bravo Cartoons Show Presents – “Back on Shaq”
NBA & Animation – 2018 – NBA on TNT With Ernie + Kenny + Charles + Shaq Present “Audio Toon” Special – “Shaq’s Gas Math Revisited”
NBA & Animation – 2021 – Special – “Shaq In The Wild”
O’Neal was featured on the covers of video games NBA Live 96, NBA 2K6, NBA 2K7, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC, NBA Hoopz, and NBA Inside Drive 2004. The Big Leprechaun appeared in the arcade version of NBA Jam (1993), NBA Jam (2003) and NBA Live 2004 as a current player and as a 1990s All-Star. O’Neal starred in Shaq Fu, a fighting game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. A sequel, Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn, was released in 2018. O’Neal also appeared in Backyard Basketball in 2004, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 as a playable boxer, and as an unlockable character in Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. O’Neal was also an unlockable character in UFC Undisputed 2010.
NBA & Talk Shows – 2019 – ESPN First Take With Steven A Smith + Max Kellerman React to Kobe Bryant Interview with Patrick Bet-David – “When Kobe Said He Would Have Won 12 Rings If Shaq Were in Shape”
O’Neal and his mother, Lucille Harrison, were featured in the documentary film Apple Pie…..which aired on ESPN. O’Neal had a 2005 reality series on ESPN, Shaquille, and hosted a series called Shaq’s Big Challenge on ABC.
NBA & Documentary – 2010 – Special Film – “Apple Pie” – With Moms of NBA Stars – Featuring Shaquille O’Neal and His Mom Lucille
O’Neal appeared on NBA Ballers and NBA Ballers: Phenom, in the 2002 Discovery Channel special Motorcycle Mania 2 requesting an exceptionally large bike to fit his large size famed custom motorcycle builder Jesse James in the 1st Idol Gives Back in 2007, on an episode of Fear Factor, and on an episode of MTV’s Jackass, where he was lifted off the ground on Wee Man’s back. O’Neal was a wrestling fan and made appearances at many WWE events.
NBA – 2015 – Special – Jesse James Builds “Man of Steel” Custom Motorcycle for Shaquille O’Neal”
NBA – 2015 – Special – Jesse James On How Much the “Man of Steel” Custom Motorcycle for Shaquille O’Neal Cost
O’Neal was pranked on the MTV show Punk’d when a crew member accused him of stealing his parking space. After O’Neal and his wife went into a restaurant, Ashton Kutcher‘s crew members let the air out of O’Neal’s tires. O’Neal and the crew member then got into an altercation and after Kutcher told O’Neal he had been Punk’d, O’Neal made an obscene gesture at the camera. He hosted the show Upload with Shaquille O’Neal which aired on TruTV for one season.
NBA – 2020 – MTV Punk’d Special – “NBA Stars Who Got Punk’d: Allen Iverson, Jermaine O’Neil & Shaquille O’Neal”
O’Neal starred in a reality show called Shaq Vs. which premiered on August 18, 2009, on ABC. The show featured O’Neal competing against other athletes at their own sports.
NBA & Reality Show – 2015 – SHAQ VS Reality Show – Shaquille O’Neal vs Michael Phelps Swimming Competition
NBA & Reality Show – 2016 – SHAQ VS Reality Show – 3rd Annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: WWE WrestleMania 32 – With Shaquille O’Neal vs The Big Show
NBA & Arm Wrestling – 2018 – NBA on TNT With Ernie, Charles, Kenny & Shaq – Featuring the World Arm Wrestling Champions Vs Shaq
On July 14, 2011, O’Neal announced that he would join Turner Network Television (TNT) as an analyst on its NBA basketball games, joining Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.
NBA – 2012 T0 2022 – NBA on TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal Special – “Hilarious Charles Barkley vs Shaq Roasting Each Other Moments”
In September 2015 whilst promoting sportswear giant Reebok in South Korea, O’Neal joined the cast in the South Korean variety television show Off to School where he went to Seo Incheon High School. The show features various celebrities attending a selected high school as students for three days. The producer of the show, Kim No-eun said, “We’ve worked hard on our guest list this season, so Chu Sung Hoon will be appearing on a cable channel for the first time. Shaquille O’Neal will be on the show as well. We succeeded in casting him after a lot of effort. O’Neal will be visiting Korea for a promotion and will be visiting the school on the last day. He will have lunch with the students. We’re even preparing a big match between Chu Sung Hoon and Shaquille O’Neal. We’re specially preparing a uniform for Shaquille O’Neal.”
Talk Shows & NBA – 2017 – Jimmy Kimmel Live – With Special Guest Host Shaquille O’Neal’s Opening Monologue
In October 2022, O’Neal signed a long-term contract extension with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to continue as a host on Inside the NBA.
NBA – 2022 – Inside The NBA With Ernie + Charles + Kenny + Shaq – Shaq Says He Plans To Buy All 11 of Bill Russell’s Championship Rings Up For Auction
NBA – 1992 To 2011 – Special – “Shaquille O’Neal Funniest Moments – Why We Love Shaq”
O’Neal has made numerous appearances in television commercials, including several Pepsi commercials, such as one from 1995 which parodied shows like I Love Lucy (the “Job Switching” episode), Bonanza, and Woody Woodpecker. Other companies and products for which he has appeared in commercials include Reebok, Nestlé Crunch, Gold Bond, Buick, The General, Papa John’s, Hulu, Epson, and IcyHot, among others.
TV Ads – 1997 – Pepsi Cola With Shaquille O’Neal on the Basketball Court With The Kids
TV Ads – 2020 – Special – “Funny Shaquille O’Neal Commercials” – Showcasing The General Insurance / McDonald’s / Epson Receipt Scanner / Forto Coffee Shot / et al
TV Ads – 2017 – Age of Beard Shaq Commercial – “Beard Mojo in a Bottle: Sponsored by Shaquille O’ Neal”
O’Neal began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2000. At Jonathan Burke’s Gracie Gym, he trained in boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling. At the gym, he used the nickname Diesel. O’Neal challenged kickboxer and mixed martial artist Choi Hong-man to a mixed martial arts rules bout in a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2009. Choi replied to an email asking him if he would like to fight O’Neal saying “Yes, if there is a chance.” Hong-man also responded to a question asking if O’Neal had a chance of winning with a simple “No.” On August 28, 2010, in an interview at UFC 118 in Boston, O’Neal reiterated his desire to fight Choi.
MMA & NBA – 2020 – TNT Special – “Shaq Life: Shaq’s Hardcore MMA Workout”
A lifelong professional wrestling fan, O’Neal has made numerous appearances at televised events over the years for four different promotions. His favorite wrestlers are Tony Atlas, Junkyard Dog, André the Giant, and Brock Lesnar. In 1994, O’Neal made several appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), including at the Bash at the Beach pay per view…..where he presented the title belt to the winner of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. In July 2009, O’Neal served as the guest host for a live broadcast of WWE’s Monday Night Raw…..when as part of the show, O’Neal got into a physical altercation with seven-foot-tall wrestler Big Show. In September 2012, O’Neal made a guest appearance on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s Impact Wrestling program…..where he had a backstage segment with Hulk Hogan.
Pro Wrestling & NBA – 2009 – WWE Presents – Monday Night Raw – With Guest Host Shaquille O’Neal + Chis Jericho + The Big Show
In April 2016, O’Neal participated in his 1st-ever match…..when he was a surprise celebrity entry in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32…..as O’Neal eliminated Damien Sandow…..and had another confrontation with Big Show before being eliminated himself by most of the other wrestlers. In July at the 2016 ESPY Awards on the red carpet, Big Show and O’Neal had another brief confrontation. A match was proposed for WrestleMania 33, which O’Neal accepted…..and in January 2017, the two began calling each other out on social media…..while posting workout videos of themselves preparing for the potential match…..then after weeks of discussion, the match was cancelled. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the match was canceled due to monetary reasons, as both parties could not agree on a deal…..whereas Big Show later stated it was scheduling issues on O’Neal’s part that caused the cancellation.
Pro Wrestling & NBA – 2020 – WWE WrestleMania 32 Special – “Andre the Giant Memorial 20-Man Battle Royal” (Full Match) – Featuring Shaquille O’Neal + The Big Show
On the November 11, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, Jade Cargill interrupted Cody Rhodes and teased the arrival of O’Neal in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He made a cameo appearance on Being The Elite…..as it was later confirmed that O’Neal had been appearing backstage at recent AEW tapings, including Full Gear. He appeared on the December 9 episode of AEW Dynamite and addressed AEW in a sit-down interview with Tony Schiavone and Brandi Rhodes. At the end of the interview, O’Neal got water thrown on him by Brandi after telling her to get pointers from Cargill…..who had broken Brandi’s arm several weeks before. On the March 3, 2021 episode of AEW Dynamite titled The Crossroads…..when O’Neal teamed with Jade Cargill to defeat Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet. During the match, O’Neal paid tribute to Brodie Lee with his signature gesture and powerbomb and was driven through two tables by Cody…..who hit O’Neal with a flying crossbody tackle as O’Neal was standing on the ring apron, knocking O’Neal through the tables that were set up at ringside.
Pro Wrestling – 2020 – All Elite AEW Dynamite Wrestling Presents – “Amazing Entrances of The Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal) and Jade Cargill”
Pro Wrestling – 2020 – All Elite AEW Dynamite Wrestling Presents – “Shaq Gets Knocked Out by Cody Rhodes!”
O’Neal is also an active businessman and investor. He was an active bond investor in the early 1990’s…..but continued to wade into stocks and made investments in various companies such as General Electric, Apple, and PepsiCo. He described what has worked best for him in stock investing was where he felt a personal connection with the company. He has also been an active real estate entrepreneur…..as O’Neal was looking to expand his business ventures with real-estate development projects aimed at assisting Orlando home owners facing foreclosure…..when his plans involved buying the mortgages of those who had fallen into foreclosure…..and then selling the homes back to them under more affordable terms……when he would make a small profit in return…..but wanted to make an investment in Orlando and help out homeowners. In conjunction with Boraie Development, O’Neal has developed projects in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, including, CityPlex12 and One Riverview.
NBA – 2020 – Special – “Shaq Using Normal Sized Things and Being a Giant”
NBA & Talk Show -2020 – The Colbert Show Live – Shaquille O’Neal Takes The Colbert Questionert
O’Neal is on the advisory board for Tout Industries, a social video service startup company based in San Francisco…..as he received the position in return for breaking news of his NBA retirement on the service. In September 2013, O’Neal became a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings…..and in January 2022, O’Neal sold his stake in the Kings.
NBA – 2021 – MattyBro Art Presents Melbourne Street Art Special – “I Painted Shaquille O’Neal – This Is What He Said”
In June 2015, O’Neal invested in technology startup Loyale3 Holdings Inc., a San Francisco brokerage firm whose website and mobile app enables companies to sell a piece of their IPOs directly to small investors who put up as a little as $100…..and also allows investors to regularly buy small amounts of shares in already public companies.
NBA & Talk Show – 2018 – The Ellen Show _ With Special Guest Shaquille O’Neal – On Shaq’s Babysitting Gig Which Led to His Google Riches
O’Neal is an investor for esports team NRG Esports. He has also appeared in television commercials promoting the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive league ELeague. In late 2016, O’Neal purchased the Krispy Kreme location at 295 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. O’Neal is also the global spokesperson for the company.
NBA / MLB / Game Show – 2018 – Celebrity Family Feud With Steve Harvey -Featuring Inside the NBA vs. MLB All-Stars (Full Episode)
In 2018, O’Neal created his part music festival, circus and carnival, Shaq’s Fun House, in partnership with Medium Rare, which is held annually. The event usually features celebrity DJ’s and performers.
NBA – 2019 – Shaq’s Fun House Presents – Shaq’s Fun House Miami Recap 2019
NBA – 2020 – Shaq’s Fun House Official Trailer – Shaq’s Fun House Miami 2020
In early 2019, O’Neal joined the Papa John’s board of directors…..and invested in nine stores in the Atlanta area. In addition, he became the spokesperson for the company as part of the three-year contract.
NBA – 2019 – Special – NBA Awards Show – Hosted By Shaquille O’Neal
In 2021, O’Neal, among other high-profile athletes and celebrities, was a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange. In November 2022, FTX filed for bankruptcy, wiping out billions of dollars in customer funds as well as O’Neal’s personal stake in the company…..as he, alongside other spokespeople, are currently being sued for promoting unregistered securities through a class-action lawsuit.
NBA – 2020 – Inside The NBA With Ernie + Sir Charles + Ernie + D Wade + Shaq Special – “Shaq Breaks Down In Tears Talking about Kobe Bryant The Day After His Death”
In August 2010, O’Neal was sued by his personal IT technician, Shawn Darling, after O’Neal had allegedly attempted to plant child pornography on Darling’s computer. Darling claimed that O’Neal had originally tried to protect himself by hacking his mistresses’ voicemails and deleting relevant messages. Darling also alleged that O’Neal had used law enforcement contacts to obtain restricted information on those mistresses, and that O’Neal subsequently threw his laptop into a lake to destroy possible evidence. In 2017, a trial court ruled that Darling had not filed the lawsuit “in good faith,” and that the accusations made by Darling occurred after he had attempted to extort $12,000,000 from O’Neal in return for thousands of stolen emails and electronic files. Throughout the trial, Darling failed to submit adequate evidence to back up his claims…..when in 2021, the litigation ended with a court ruling that O’Neal was entitled to $412,914.50 in legal fees.
Talk Show & NBA – 2021 – Jimmy Kimmel Live Special – “Shaq or Bullshaq” – Featuring Shaquile O’Neal Reveals Which Myths About Him are True
In April 2014, O’Neal posted a photo on Instagram that showed himself mocking Jahmel Binion who suffers from Ectodermal dysplasia…..when Shaq Daddy issued a public apology…..while stating that he and Binion had spoken and that he’s “made a friend today”. Binion would however go on to sue O’Neal for a sum larger than $25,000…..and in 2016, Binion withdrew the lawsuit after coming to a settlement agreement with O’Neal.
NBA – 2022 – Gainesville Police Department Special – “Shaq Being Shaq While Playing Streetball with Gainesville, FL Neighborhood Kids” – This is the Real Personality of Shaquille O’Neal
O’Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and a Muslim stepfather…..whereby both the Los Angeles Times as well as Robin Wright in her book Rock the Casbah, have identified O’Neal as a Muslim…..however, The Big Baryshnikov has said, “I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody ’cause I’m a people person.”
NBA & Interview – 2019 – TODAY Show With Sheinelle Jones Interview of Shaquille O’Neal’s Mom – As She Talks About Her Hall-of-Fame Son & Cooks His Favorite Meal “Lil Shaq Easy Mac”
O’Neal married Shaunie Nelson on December 26, 2002. The couple has four children: Shareef (b. January 11, 2000), Amirah (b. November 13, 2001), Shaqir (b. April 19, 2003), and Me’arah (b. May 1, 2006)…..plus there is Nelson, his son from a previous relationship, Myles…..in addition, O’Neal has a daughter named Taahirah O’Neal (b. July 19, 1996) from a previous relationship with his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. On September 4, 2007, O’Neal filed for divorce from Shaunie in a Miami-Dade Circuit court. Shaunie later said that the couple had gotten back together and that the divorce was withdrawn. However, on November 10, 2009, Shaunie filed an intent to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
NBA & Documentary – 1992 To 2022 – 2006 Documentary On Shaq’s Life” – “Shaquille O’Neal: Larger Than Life” – With Proof That There Is No One Like Him
In 2015, Shareef was seen in high school basketball highlights as a 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) freshman power forward, and had been described to have “polar opposite playing style to his father” due to his more athletic build and better shooting range. Shareef played in college for the UCLA Bruins before transferring to LSU.
NBA – 2022 – NBA on TNT – The Big Podcast Special – “As Adam Sandler & Shaquille O’Neal Are Comedy”
In summer 2010, O’Neal began dating reality TV star Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander. The couple resided at O’Neal’s home in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and later split in August 2012. O’Neal began dating Laticia Rolle, a model, originally from Gardner, Massachusetts, in early 2014. They later split in March 2018.
NBA – 2022 – Special – Shaq Life: “Shaquille O’Neal’s Acts of Shaqness”
In June 2005 when Hall of Fame center George Mikan died, O’Neal, who considered Mikan to be a major influence, extended an offer to his family to pay all of the funeral expenses, which they accepted. O’Neal is a 2009 inductee of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. O’Neal became a Freemason in 2011, becoming a member of Widow’s Son Lodge No. 28 in Boston. O’Neal is a Prince Hall Freemason.
NBA – 2021 – BBVault Special – “Compilation of Shaquille O’Neal vs Dennis Rodman Heated Moments”
On January 31, 2012, O’Neal was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald’s All-Americans. O’Neal’s stepfather, Philip Arthur Harrison, died of a heart attack on September 10, 2013. Shaq Daddy is a huge fan of the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils…..who play in his hometown of Newark…..as he has been seen at several games over the years. On January 11, 2014, O’Neal performed the ceremonial 1st puck and drove a Zamboni for a game between the Devils and the Florida Panthers…..and is also a fan of English football club Northampton Town…..as he has posted videos of support to their official YouTube page.
NBA – 2017 – Special Highlights Compilation – “Shaquille O’Neal Breaking Backboards”
NBA – 2019 – Hoopz Presents Special Shaquille O’Neal Highlights – “Shaqtacular Breaking Backboards”
In 2016, O’Neal purchased a 14.3-acre, two-house compound in McDonough, Georgia for $1.15 million. It is around 30 miles southeast of Atlanta.
NBA – 2020 – Shaq Life Special – “Shaquille O’Neal: Shaq’s Acts of Charity” – Visions of What’s Inside The Big Guy
Bringing this post to a conclusion is a difficult thing to do….cuz Shaquille O’Neal….The Big Aristotle, Shaq Daddy, The Big Baryshnikov, Shaq Fu, The Big Leprachaun, Shaqtus, The Big Cactus, Shaqtacular, The Diesel et al…..for he are those guys and so much more….as the fact remains is that Shaquille O’Neal is an incredibily likable and compelling character that people just want to be around.
