Shaquille O'Neal dominated the court, winning four NBA championships and stacking MVP titles. With a net worth around $500 million, he seems to have it all. But Shaq has been increasingly open about something money can't buy: family.
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In recent years, he's spoken openly about the emotional toll of his past mistakes, especially regarding his family life. He's now offering that wisdom to others, including NFL star Jason Kelce, who's considering retirement. During a conversation on The Big Podcast With Shaq in early 2024, Shaq shared a heartfelt message for Kelce, urging him not to make the same mistakes he did.
"My advice to you is if you are going to retire, accept it, enjoy your family, brother," Shaq told Kelce. "I made a lot of dumb*** mistakes to where I lost my family and I didn't have anybody. That's not the case for you."
It's a powerful warning from a man who once seemed to have everything. While fans have watched Shaq enjoy a second act as a pro basketball analyst and an ad pitchman for everything from printers to pizza, his story shows a different side. His public image is bright, but his reflections reveal a deeper loneliness. Shaq says his biggest regret isn't about basketball – it's about not being present for his family when they needed him.
Shaq’s loneliness is striking, especially when discussing his massive mansion. "I lost my whole family," he admitted to Kelce, "(but) I'm in a 100,000-square-foot house by myself." It's a heavy sentiment and one that's surprisingly relatable. He might be sitting in a mansion, but he's wrestling with the same regret and isolation anyone might feel after losing important relationships.
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And Shaq's talk with Kelce wasn't the first time he opened up about these struggles. In 2022 on The Pivot Podcast, Shaq shared how isolating life had become after his family left. "I don't like to use the D-word because I don't know what it is," he said, referring to depression. "But I was lost – 76,000-square-foot house by yourself – lost. No kids. Go to the gym, nobody's playing in the gym. You go to their room, nobody's there. You start to feel it, you know."
O'Neal's words are a reality check for anyone caught up in the grind of work over family. At his peak, Shaq chased fame and success relentlessly, but he's learned firsthand that the high-flying life can start to feel hollow once the cheers die. And this isn't just a lesson for pro athletes; it's something any workaholic, entrepreneur or corporate climber should hear loud and clear.
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By speaking out, Shaq's reminding us that success doesn't mean much if there's no one around to enjoy it with you. His advice to Kelce was simple but meaningful: "Enjoy your beautiful wife, enjoy your beautiful kids and never dwell on what we had. What we had is what we got – you got the ring, people know who you are, enjoy."
For someone with Shaq's presence and swagger, this vulnerability hits home. He's showing that even the strongest need human connection. Shaq's always dropping life lessons learned the hard way and this one's big: family isn't just important – it's priceless.
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