It was a typical Miami evening, a balmy night with the city buzzing under the glow of neon lights and the steady hum of nightlife. But for Shaquille O’Neal, this night would not be remembered for any basketball games or flashy celebrity events. Instead, it would go down in history as the night he would play one of his most important roles: not as an NBA legend, but as a hero taking a stand against corruption.
It all started with the hum of his custom Lamborghini’s engine as it purred down the iconic Ocean Drive. Shaq had carefully modified the car to fit his towering 7’1″ frame, making the sleek black exterior seem even more imposing. But tonight, as he drove alone, the luxurious vehicle felt like a cage. Something didn’t feel right. His phone had buzzed multiple times that day with strange, blocked calls, and while he had ignored them at first, now, they seemed to be catching up with him. He couldn’t shake the sense that something was brewing.
His eyes flicked nervously to the rearview mirror, where he noticed a police cruiser tailing him from a distance. It had been following for several blocks, but Shaq wasn’t a stranger to this. He had grown up with the awareness of how easily a black man in a luxury car could be misjudged. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, knowing full well what was about to happen. He had seen it all before—being pulled over, having his integrity questioned, being treated like a threat for no reason other than the color of his skin and the car he drove. But this time, things would be different.
Shaq’s phone buzzed again, breaking him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen. A simple text: Are you ready, Shaq? It was from a contact he trusted implicitly—someone with ties to the FBI. Shaq exhaled deeply, his nerves steeling. He wasn’t just driving through the streets tonight; he was walking into a carefully orchestrated plan that had been set in motion weeks ago.
The police cruiser had closed the gap now, and a second one had appeared. Shaq’s heart raced a little faster. He had prepared for this. Everything had been accounted for, but the tension in his gut still lingered. As he eased the Lamborghini toward the curb and came to a stop beneath the streetlights, he checked his mirrors one last time. The officers’ movements were tense, their hands hovering near their weapons as they approached. He could see the flicker of suspicion in their eyes as they neared the vehicle.
Shaq’s phone lit up once more. Good luck, Diesel. The old nickname made him smile briefly, remembering the words of a fellow agent. We chose you because no one would suspect you’re hiding in plain sight.
The police car’s siren went off, slicing through the quiet air. Shaq knew exactly what was coming. The flash of a flashlight illuminated the inside of his car. He kept his hands visible on the steering wheel, just as he had been advised. This moment had been carefully planned for, and every detail had to be perfect. The cameras hidden around the car were already recording, and his USB drive, tucked into his pocket, was ready to do its job.
“License and registration,” one of the officers called out from the shadows, his voice calm, but laced with suspicion. “Do you know why we stopped you tonight?”
Shaq paused, swallowing the dryness in his mouth. His response would set everything in motion. Before he could speak, however, his phone lit up again. The message made his heart race: Officer Martinez isn’t who he claims to be. Be careful.
It was a warning, but it wasn’t clear who Martinez was. He studied the approaching officers in his mirror, trying to match faces to the photos from the briefing he’d received earlier in the day. One officer walked with a slight limp, making him easily identifiable as Officer Williams. The other, the taller one with his hand still near his weapon, was Officer Martinez.
Shaq kept his voice calm as he replied, “Evening officers, is there a problem?”
Both officers stepped back involuntarily as Shaq unfolded his massive frame from the car. Williams’s eyes widened with recognition, but Martinez remained stone-faced. “Shaquille O’Neal?” Williams stammered.
Shaq nodded. “That’s me.”
“We’ve had reports of a vehicle matching this description involved in suspicious activity,” Martinez said, his tone sharp. Shaq noticed the slight slip in his accent, a subtle but clear sign that something wasn’t right.
“Well, I’ve got nothing to hide,” Shaq said, keeping his tone light as he reached for his license and registration. “But I gotta admit, this feels a little familiar.”
“Familiar?” Williams asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Being pulled over for driving while black in a nice car,” Shaq said, his voice steady but carrying an undeniable weight. “Used to happen all the time before people knew my face. Still happens sometimes.”
Williams looked embarrassed, but Martinez’s expression hardened. “This isn’t about race, sir. We’re just doing our job.”
Shaq smiled slightly. “Of course, you are. Just like the officers in ’92, or the ones in ’95, or last month in Atlanta.”
More patrol cars had arrived by now, their lights flashing brightly along Ocean Drive. Shaq noticed that there were too many cars, too many officers. His instincts told him that this wasn’t a routine traffic stop anymore. The USB drive in his pocket seemed to weigh heavier than ever.
Martinez stepped closer to the car, his hand still hovering near his weapon. “Sir, are you carrying any weapons or contraband?”
“No, officer,” Shaq replied, “but I should mention, I’m a reserve police officer myself. My badge is in my wallet, if you’d like to see it.”
Martinez faltered, visibly thrown off by the mention of Shaq’s law enforcement background. Meanwhile, Williams ran Shaq’s information through the system. Shaq’s phone buzzed again, but he knew better than to check it. He could tell that things were escalating faster than expected.
The radio crackled with static as more officers arrived, the situation now spiraling out of control. Martinez spoke quickly into his radio, trying to maintain control. But then, something happened. The radio went silent.
Shaq’s gut tightened as the situation shifted from a routine stop to something far more dangerous. Martinez wasn’t reaching for handcuffs. He was reaching for something else—something that looked suspiciously like an evidence bag.
Shaq didn’t hesitate. “Actually, officers, I think there’s something you need to see first,” he said, his voice steady.
The unmarked cars had arrived—federal agents posing as police. Shaq knew what was coming next. He stood tall, his deep voice commanding the attention of everyone in the vicinity. The helicopter’s spotlight shone down on them, revealing the hidden cameras that had been recording everything.
The agents moved in swiftly, surrounding the officers. Martinez’s plan to plant evidence on Shaq had failed. As he attempted to lunge for the car door, Shaq’s reflexes—honed over years of basketball—kicked in. With a swift motion, Shaq stopped Martinez in his tracks, pinning his wrist and forcing the evidence bag to fall to the ground, its contents spilling onto the pavement.
As federal agents secured the corrupt officers, Shaq watched as the pieces of a much larger operation fell into place. He had been part of an elaborate sting operation targeting corrupt officers, and the night had proven more important than he ever could have imagined.
As the sun began to rise, Shaq stood in front of his custom Lamborghini, reflecting on the events that had unfolded. His phone buzzed again. It was a message from his kids: Dad, you’re all over the news! Are you really a secret agent?
Shaq laughed, a deep rumble that shook the air. He quickly typed back: No, just a guy who loves this game called justice.
Shaquille O’Neal had played plenty of high-stakes games on the basketball court, but tonight, he had proven that the most important victories happen when you stand up for what’s right. And sometimes, the biggest plays don’t happen with a basketball in hand—they happen when you fight for justice, even when no one expects it.
Shaquille O’Neal is in a lot of commercials…like…a lot of commercials. This is a list to compile his greatest acting performances in visual advertising.
NOTE: There are a lot of Shaq commercials. A lot. I narrowed them down based on YouTube access, and after weeks of research, watching endless Shaq commercial videos… I picked the top 20.
Food rations are low. Morale has hit rock bottom. I close my eyes and see Shaq promoting something. I wake up from nightmares of Shaq bursting out of my closet door with red eyes, screaming, “Did you try this new flavor topping?” Earlier this week, I even called my own cat “Shaq” by accident…and then she proceeded to yell, “Can you dig it?!” which led to Shaq, once again, bursting through my closet door and me waking up from the same nightmare.
It is all an endless cycle, and please just know, I tried my best with this list.
20. TNT
TNT / Via youtube.com
Shaq in Spanish…what could go wrong?
Flex on them, Shaq. This commercial would foreshadow Shaq’s career with TNT, or is it just the mastermind Shaq-Psychic speaking it into existence?
Either way, pretty funny commercial, although the Spanish sounds like it can use some work.
19. The General
The General Car Insurance / Via youtube.com
Shaq goes to the General to save some time and show off his acting range.
My mind was blown when I was told that Shaq was standing in front of a green screen. He sold it so well with compelling acting. What’s next — someone’s going to tell me the General isn’t real?
18. Epson Printers
EPSON / Via youtube.com
Shaq also does printer commercials. Why? Because he can.
This man is never not amazed by the product he is selling. That’s a hall-of-famer right there.
17. Carnival Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Shaq knocks this song out of the park to get people to go on a cruise.
It’s 15 seconds, but man, Shaq’s (totally his) voice brought a tear to my eye. Plus, the costume design for this advertisement was somewhere toward 200K, but I can’t confirm that.
16. Icy Hot
Icy Hot / Via youtube.com
Shaq brings the fire (and ice) to acting.
In this Icy Hot commercial, Shaq reminds everyone that he can take on a more serious tone. Seriously, Shaq said, “Rise from pain,” and I literally was ready to run through a brick wall.
15. Buick
Buick / Via youtube.com
Shaq oozes charisma in this Buick commercial and shows it is even comfortable for a big man.
Maybe the best choice of ad by the Big Shamrock. If Shaq is comfortable in this car, then there is enough space for you. Genius.
Plus, Shaq does a good job with his lines. Top-notch execution. Top notch.
14. Pepsi Big Slam
Pepsi
Shaq’s Pepsi Big Slam commercial is like a time capsule and foreshadowed this man’s stardom in commercials.
Past the VHS quality of this commercial, Shaq shows why he was and still might be the biggest personality in sports.
13. Papa John’s Shaq-a-roni
Papa John’s / Via youtube.com
Shaq gives back to the community in the form of Papa John’s Shaq-a-roni pizza.
The gift of Shaq keeps on giving.
This time, in the form of a greeting from the big man himself. A silly commercial in a much-needed rebrand for Papa John’s.
12. Age of Beard
Age of Beard
Shaq has beard mojo! Beard mojo! Beard mojo!
Some of the best child actors in any Shaq commercial, but let’s be honest, who is elevating who? #NoChildCanDefeatTheShaq
Plus, the man can pull off a fake beard.
11. The General (again)
The General Insurance / Via youtube.com
Shaq in this does his best Revenant impression in the woods.
Maybe the best commercial by the General. Shaq proved he doesn’t need the General to score a bucket on commercials. Leo DiCaprio could never.
10. Forto Coffee
FORTO Coffee / Via youtube.com
Shaq makes a shot of coffee look like a baby bottle in his hands.
A look inside Shaq’s morning routine proves he is willing to dabble in both fictional and nonfictional roles. The Academy is really wasting everyone’s time with those lesser actors.
9. Epson Rapid Receipt Scanner
EPSON / Via youtube.com
Shaq breaks out a surprise leaf blower to sell a receipt scanner.
He really did make it look like a piece of cake. Shaqel Day-Lewis really shows how easy this “Rapid Receipt Scanner” is to use.
8. The General (a third time!)
The General Insurance / Via youtube.com
Shaq and his friend are the cool kids at the lunch table.
The General delivers another gem. This time Shaq doesn’t let Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson sit at the cool kids’ table. His translation of the young lad’s satisfied “aaah” is textbook. The Big Shaqthurity is batting a thousand.
7. Frosted Flakes
Kellogs / Via youtube.com
Shaq brings out the best acting from Tony the Tiger that we have seen in ages.
Don’t lie. Tony is stiff and has one line he delivers with any charisma. Not like Shaq, who brings his A-game all day. Heck, he even says, “They’re great!” with more gusto.
6. American Express
American Express / Via youtube.com
Shaq and Kendrick Lamar shop small in this “American Express” commercial, and it leads to a hilarious, unscripted moment.
The Big Shaqtus does a great job reacting authentically in this commercial, and the smack of soap on his head was the icing on the cake.
5. ESPN
ESPN / Via youtube.com
Shaq’s Scrabble skills are limitless and Shaqtastic.
Maybe the funniest commercial Shaq has blessed planet Earth with. The delivery of “don’t worry about it” might be the best Shaq acting in a single moment…ever.
4. SportsCenter
ESPN / Via youtube.com
Shaq rescues a cat, and audiences everywhere weep in a “This is Sportscenter” TV spot.
Not all Shaq’s wear capes. In this commercial, Shaq shows off his athleticism by carrying a very heavy cat down a ladder.
The cat was later identified as LSU’s mascot. We reached out for a comment, but the cat said he had no comment right meow.
3. Gold Bond
Gold Bond / Via youtube.com
Shaq’s Gold Bond commercials are the stuff of meme legend.
The shimmy. The facial expressions. All too good. No notes. Just enjoy.
2. Papa John’s (again)
Papa John’s / Via youtube.com
Shaq’s shocking reveal proves he is a master of disguises.
When he said, “I’m the new guy,” it totally threw me off the scent. It was only until the reveal that I recognized Superman.
10/10 for the twist.
1. Vitamin Water
Vitamin Water / Via youtube.com
Shaq as a jockey for this Vitamin Water commercial might be the movie we all desperately need.
Seriously, give me a movie where 7’2″ Shaquille O’Neal is an aspiring jockey with his horse, “Chunk of Love.” It sounds like an SNL-produced film, and I’d love it.
Of course, this whole list was tongue-in-cheek, but the joke’s on everyone else…Shaq keeps getting paid.
