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Shaquille O’Neal has never been one to hold back, and in his recent appearance on the Off the Record podcast, he delivered a blunt and fiercely protective message aimed at former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. The tension stems from a controversial social media post by Griffin that included a racially offensive image comparing WNBA star Angel Reese to a monkey on a fake video game cover. The post was widely condemned across social media, and Shaq, who has both a personal and professional connection to Reese, made it crystal clear he wouldn’t let it slide.
O’Neal’s reaction wasn’t just emotional—it was personal. Reese, like Shaq, played at LSU, and beyond their alma mater bond, he recently signed her to Reebok under his leadership. So when he saw Griffin’s repeated jabs at Reese, this latest one crossing a particularly offensive line, he responded with unfiltered fury. “Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese, and I’m going to punch you in your f–king face,” he said, not mincing a single word. It wasn’t just about defending a player; it was about defending a young Black woman from degrading attacks that carry historically violent connotations.
Shaq also didn’t hesitate to challenge Griffin’s credibility when it comes to critiquing women’s basketball. He said plainly that RG3 lacks the “G14 classification” to speak on the subject, a phrase he’s used before to signify earned authority. “I would respect it more if Lisa Leslie said it. That’s their category. Stay out of them people’s category,” he added, emphasizing that Griffin should step back from commentary that disrespects women athletes—especially when that commentary veers into harmful territory.
The controversy deepened with a separate post from Griffin on July 10, where he claimed “sources” told him that Angel Reese “hates” fellow WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark. Though Griffin insisted the comment was rooted in basketball analysis, Shaq dismissed it as opportunistic and unnecessary. “It’s a shame that all the stuff you did in your life, you’re going to be remembered for your podcast,” Shaq said, taking aim at Griffin’s post-playing career persona. He pushed back hard against the idea that stirring drama for clicks should come at the expense of real athletes and real legacies. “Let it go. So what? She hates her. So what? I hate you now for messing with her. Now what? Say something about me.”
Shaq’s defense of Reese wasn’t just protective—it was a reminder of the deep-rooted racism that still lingers in sports commentary and how necessary it is for powerful voices to call it out. His message was loud, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore: disrespect Angel Reese again, and you’ll have to deal with him.