Shaquille O’Neal is a beast. Standing at 7’1″ and weighing close to 325 pounds, the man–who played for six National Basketball Association (NBA) teams over his 19-year career–is still going strong at 51.
The four-time NBA Champion, who ended his career in 2011 as a center with the Boston Celtics, is considered one of the greatest ball players of all time.
But retiring from basketball didn’t mean he was slowing down.
In fact, he’s an actor, a TV host, a musician, a philanthropist and an all-around good guy.
O’Neal, who’s known as Shaq Diesel or Shaq Fu in the music world, released four hip-hop albums in the ‘90s and this year, collaborating with artists Blackway and Koko, he released a new single “King Talk” in celebration of the NBA Playoffs. Though his earlier music received negative reviews from critics, his first album went platinum and the second reached gold.
His involvement in music today is mostly as DJ Diesel, producing and performing electronic dance music and touring the world.
O’Neal also tested his acting chops on film and TV, most notably as a special guest on Discovery Channel’s 2018 Shark Week, where the giant man, who’s terrified of sharks, is tossed into a tank filled with apex predators, resulting in some hilarious footage.
In addition to all his side hustles, Shaq is mostly admired for his expertise and talents as a sports analyst on the TV show, Inside the NBA.
Frequently sharing his adventures and sports knowledge on social media, oftentimes multiple times a day, O’Neal suddenly went quiet in late March, worrying many of his almost 32 million Instagram followers, and 15.8 million Twitter fans.
On March 19th, he finally came out of silence and shared a Twitter post where he’s seen lying in a hospital bed.
The next day, he explained that he had a hip replacement, and that he is “fine, no need to worry.”
Less than one week later, Shaq posted an update, an emotional video, with an inspirational speech playing in the background. He appears in visible pain, limping, with a crutch supporting the right side of his body, into the gym for a workout.
He captioned the post: “bout to get my game back alll you old dudes that hoop…i’m coming for yall.”
Fans and celebrity friends jumped in with comments. “Bro, this s— almost made me cry,” writes actor and comedian Jamie Foxx, while former talk show host Arsenio Hall shares, “My guy 4 life! Luv u.”
Since that post, “Superman” O’Neal has shared more workouts showing his physical progression, images from his daily life, clips of his DJing at festivals and also basketball-related content.
Recently, he took to Instagram, and showcased his incredible Herculean strength. With some powerful music playing in the background–lyrics that say “I am a warrior, a destroyer”–The Big Aristotle appeared on screen, ripping off his tank top, revealing his massive muscles.
Then, he struck a few Mr. Olympia poses, shocking fans over the enormity of his size.
Tagging Phil Health, the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner, O’Neal writes: “in my former life i was [Phil Health] we almost there…”
Health responded to the post by writing, “Im thinkin I need to pay big [Shaq] a visit! A day of reckoning in the gym will be something of epic proportions haha!!!! Lookin great Brother.”
Commenting on his impressive transformation, one fan writes, “Shaq, why couldn’t you be like this in 2003-2004? You and Kobe could have won 5 straight! SMH.” A second fan jokes, “He didnt tear his under shirt he tore a [blanket] that 7 kids shared…”
Shaquille O’Neal is such a phenomenon and he’s incredible with everything he does. His determination is an inspiration, and we are so happy that the legend has recovered after his surgery.
Please share this story and let others know what an awesome man Shaq continues to be!
