Shaquille O’Neal isn’t just an NBA legend with four championships and towering career stats. But did you know the 7’1” powerhouse could have dominated in another arena—NFL football? That’s right! Big Shamrock himself recently hinted at his NFL “what if” moment on Inside the NFL with hosts Chris Long and Chad Johnson.
When asked which NBA stars he could see thriving in the NFL, Shaq’s top picks were Russell Westbrook for his speed, LeBron James for sheer athleticism, and even Allen Iverson, noting his skills in football back in the day. And then, with classic Shaq flair, he threw his own name into the mix, saying he’d have made one unstoppable tight end. But Johnson wasn’t buying it, teasing, “You’re too big; you’d be a target!” Shaq’s quick reply? “Nah, they’d call me ‘The Black Kelce.’” And with that, he had everyone rolling.
But Shaq did have a real shot at football in his younger days. In a podcast with comedian Kountry Wayne, Shaq revealed how he seriously considered going pro until a newspaper changed everything. When his dad showed him that Atlanta’s Jo Koncak had just signed a $15 million NBA deal, Shaq’s NFL dreams disappeared faster than a slam dunk. Basketball had the cash, and Shaq had his answer. NFL or NBA, he’d bring that football toughness to the court, and the rest is history!
So, could Shaq have been the NFL’s ultimate tight end? Maybe, but we’ll never know! And meanwhile, catch our exclusive interview with Doug Sanders, where he breaks down the NFL’s hottest topics this season.
