Shaquille O’Neal has been around the NBA for ages and he’s an important part of the basketball community. For the number of years that he played, Shaq inspired millions of young athletes. He was one of the most dominant forces in the sport and proved himself to rank among the top five all-time. However, as humble as he is today, O’Neal once had a rough past he deeply regrets.
(Inside Basketball Legend Shaquille O’Neal’s Private Life With His Only Wife Shaunie Nelson)
Too long to summarize but here are the highlights #SavedYouAClick pic.twitter.com/OTnQxCd8xy
— Saved You a Click (@Saved_a_Click) May 8, 2020
The former 4x NBA Champion was married to Shaunie Nelson for a brief five years before ending it. Shaq admitted that it was his infidelity that led to the dire decision of getting a divorce. The NBA Hall of Famer did have an awkward phase with his children, notably Shareef. Shaq and Shaunie had four children together named, Shareef, Shaqir, Amirah, and Me’arah.
Shareef revealed that things were a bit silent between him and his father following the divorce. He said, “There was times when I didn’t know if I was supposed to talk to him because I didn’t want to make my mom mad or I didn’t want him to feel like we were abandoning him.” It is very evident that Shareef genuinely cared for both his parents. However, Shaq eventually proved himself as a great father.
Shaquille O’Neal shares a beautiful relationship with Shareef O’Neal
Shareef O’Neal had a rough patch health-wise years after the divorce. He had to receive an open-heart surgery due to functional irregularities. Shaquille O’Neal has often proved just how much he loved his children. Especially Shareef, who has a deep love for basketball, just like his father. Before going into the operation theater, Shaq reassured his son that he will be around no matter what.
“Bro when you wake up, I’m gonna be the first motherfu**er you see trust me. If you don’t wake up, I’m coming right behind you because I am killing everybody,” he said. “I’m gonna be one of the biggest serial killers, and they’re gonna kill me. And we’re gonna be in heaven or hell together,” Shaq revealed on his podcast.
Shaq often gets candid about his life on The Big Podcast. He once openly admitted that he regrets cheating on his wife as it tore apart his family and briefly ruined things for him around his kids as well. O’Neal shares such stories to inspire great things from his followers and fans. He is one of the most genuine and lovable characters around as well.