Shaquille O’Neal announces his retirement from being a celebrity: ‘I’m done with it’

By David Akerman
Updated: September 26, 2021

Jefferson Graham via Imagn Content Services

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most famous NBA players ever. Countless people around the world know who he is.

However, O’Neal recently revealed that he no longer wants to be a celebrity. He wants to be known for his kindness above anything else.

“These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don’t want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I’m done with it,” O’Neal told the New York Post.

“I don’t want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don’t call me that anymore. These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That’s never been me. I never want to be looked at like that.”

O’Neal further explained why he no longer wants to be known as a celebrity.

“I came from nothing,” he said. “But, just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you, smarter than you — just because I have more money doesn’t mean I’m better than you. I’ve never been that way and I never will be that way. So I don’t want to be in that category of people.

“When they talk about Shaq, what do you say? ‘He’s a nice guy.’ Because what else can you be? You’re either nice or you’re the A-word, and I definitely won’t be looked at as the A-word,” he said.

“I want people to say, ‘Bro, he’s nice. He didn’t have an entourage. His people didn’t take my phone because I took a picture and threw it.’”

The four-time NBA champion has been known to help out those in need. It seems like he is always willing to lend a hand to others.

O’Neal accomplished a lot during his NBA career. Besides being a 15-time All-Star, he won two scoring titles and an MVP award.

He is now a television personality and continues to be one of the most recognizable people in the basketball world, but it’s clear that O’Neal will always be willing to put others before himself.