Shaq has Angel’s back

“Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese. I’m going to punch you in your MF face” – Shaquille O’Neal threatens to punch Robert Griffin III for the WNBA star racist X post originally appeared on Basketball Network.

All throughout his career, Shaquille O’Neal has proven he’s not someone competitors want to be on the wrong side of. With his sheer size and remarkable strength, there was no opponent he wouldn’t brutalize on his way to the basket.

Despite being retired and enjoying life as a businessman, broadcaster, and podcaster, Shaq showed he still has a lot of gas left in the tank, especially when it comes to defending people who mean something to him.

During his appearance on the “Off The Record” podcast, he locked in on former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who recently caused an uproar when he reposted an edited image of Angel Reese’s 2K26 cover, depicting her as a monkey.

O’Neal didn’t hold back in his stern warning to RG3, making it clear he’d resort to punching him if he ever repeated such behavior.

Shaq has gone on record numerous times, saying she’s got Angel’s back. Aside from the two hoop stars going to the same school, LSU, Diesel, who is the president of Reebok basketball, also recently signed the Chicago Sky forward to a sneaker contract with the sports apparel brand.

Reese has long been a polarizing figure in the sports world, particularly due to her high-profile rivalry with Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. Her actions have drawn repeated criticism from RG3, who has frequently taken jabs at her on his podcast and social media. However, it was Griffin’s latest post on X that finally caused Shaq to speak out.

“RG3, tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese. I’m going to punch you in your MFng face,” Shaq emphatically said. “It’s enough. Like, I don’t usually do stuff like this, but just stop it, bro. You got your job. You got your podcast. Leave my Angel alone. I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. Stop it. That’s the last time.”

Griffin was once among the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks. His extraordinary rookie season earned him a Pro Bowl selection and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, a devastating knee injury during the playoffs altered the trajectory of his career, and he was never able to reclaim his former dominance.

In his remarks, Shaq acknowledged RG3’s impressive athletic accomplishments but noted that, unfortunately, they risk being overshadowed by his recent actions.

“It’s a shame that all the stuff you did in your life, you’re going to be remembered for your podcast. That should tell you you’re not that great. I don’t want to be remembered for Shaq’s ‘Big Podcast’, I do not,” Diesel said. “So like, leave those girls alone. You already spoke on it. Let it go. Let it go. So what? She hates her. So what? I hate you now for messing with her. Now what? Say something about me.”

Competition is the name of the game

Shaq explained that in professional sports, emotions and tensions often run high — something every player must learn to navigate. He also noted that the word “hate” is frequently used in this narrative, emphasizing that it’s an intrinsic part of the competitive spirit.

“She’s supposed to hate her. So what?” Shaq expressed. “Yeah. I hated the Clippers. I hated the Celtics. That’s not real hate. We look around at what’s going on in this real country. That’s hate. This is sports. I’m not supposed to like you.”

Shaq is a man of his word, so RG3 best believe he’s going to do what he said he would if he goes out of line with any future commentary involving Angel.