Shaq is one of the most recognizable athletes on earth. His massive 7-foot-1 frame and booming voice make him stand out in the crowd years after his retirement. Today, he is a commentator. However, some of us remember him as a force of nature on the court. Recently, the 4-time NBA champ said he doesn’t want to be a celebrity anymore. To O’Neal, celebrities have lost their minds and he wants no part of it. Instead, he wants us all to remember him as a nice guy.
Recently, Shaq spoke to The New York Post. In that interview, he talked about why he doesn’t want to be a celebrity anymore.
Shaq Is Done Being a Celeb
“Celebrities are crazy,” O’Neal told the publication. “I don’t want to be in that category.” The champ doesn’t understand how celebs can live and treat people the way they do. “These people are out of their freakin’ mind. How they treat people, what they do, what they say. That’s never been me. I never want to be looked at like that.”
Shaq knows that he has lived an extraordinary life. However, he doesn’t think that makes him any better than anyone else. “I’m a regular person that listened, followed his dreams, and made it. But, just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you. Just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m smarter than you, just because I have more money than you don’t mean I’m better than you.” O’Neal added that he’ll never look down on people like that. It’s not in him to do so.
Shaq doesn’t want people to think of him as a superstar. Instead, he said, he wants people to think of him as a nice guy. “Because what else can you be? Either you’re a nice guy or you’re the A-word. I definitely don’t want to be looked at as the A-word,” he explained. O’Neal would like for people to come away from an interaction with him saying, “Bro, he’s nice. He doesn’t have an entourage. His people didn’t take my phone because I took a picture and throw it.”
Shaq closed by saying, “These celebrities are going freakin’ crazy and I don’t want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I’m done with it.”
O’Neal’s Nice Guy Cred
Shaq retired from the NBA in 2011. Since then, he has worked to help as many people as possible. The champ does random acts of kindness every time he leaves the house. Additionally, he has partnered with brands like Papa John’s and Kellogg’s to make a difference.
Check out his video of him talking about a random act of kindness he did while out shopping for new jewelry.
Shaq doesn’t want to be a celebrity anymore. However, with an attitude like this, he’ll always be a role model.
