Shaquille O'Neal begs to be roasted while throwing shade at Tom Brady's thin skin

Time of India

16-05-2025

Basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, in contrast to Tom Brady's reported discomfort, enthusiastically desires to be publicly roasted by comedians. He's actively pursuing a roast event with the renowned Jeff Ross.
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Despite a fear of performing comedy himself, O'Neal anticipates enjoying the humorous humiliation.
Shaquille O'Neal reveals his eagerness to be publicly mocked, contrasting with Tom Brady's experience
From the perspective of a comedy enthusiast, Shaquille O'Neal's open desire to be roasted is a refreshing contrast to Tom Brady's reported discomfort with his own public skewering. O'Neal's admission on his "
Big Podcast
," shared with comedy legend David Spade, highlights his genuine appreciation for the art of comedic roasting.
Unlike some celebrities who might politely endure such an event, Shaq actively seeks it out, demonstrating a rare level of self-awareness and good humor.
Co-host Adam Lefkoe's revelation of Shaq's wish to be "destroyed" by comedians further underscores this enthusiasm. 'Shaq wants to get roasted. If he goes to a comedy show, he wants to get destroyed,' he told the Saturday Night Live (SNL) legend.
Observing this from the standpoint of a sports media analyst, the divergent reactions of O'Neal and Brady to the roast format offer a fascinating glimpse into their respective public personas.
While Brady, accustomed to intense athletic competition and perhaps more protective of his image, apparently did not fully savor the comedic barbs directed his way, O'Neal, renowned for his jovial and larger-than-life demeanor, appears to embrace the attention and the opportunity for lighthearted humiliation.
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This aligns seamlessly with his long-established role as the primary source of humor on the popular program "Inside the NBA."
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His willingness to be the focal point of jokes, even potentially sharp ones, speaks to a certain level of self-assurance and ease in his own skin. 'Tom Brady his roast was very funny, but I don't think he enjoyed it,' added O'Neal. 'I'm gonna enjoy it.'
Considering the potential for entertainment, a Roast of Shaquille O'Neal in 2025 holds significant promise. Given his colorful career, dominant presence, and engaging personality, there is ample material for comedians to work with.
The success of a roast often hinges on the subject's ability to take jokes in stride, and O'Neal's stated enthusiasm suggests he would be an ideal participant.
The recollections of Brady's roast, where even close acquaintances like Drew Bledsoe didn't hold back, set a precedent for the kind of no-holds-barred humor O'Neal seems to be anticipating and welcoming. While O'Neal jokingly implies a physical deterrent to overly harsh jokes, his history suggests a good-natured acceptance of comedic ribbing.
For fans of both basketball and comedy, a Shaq roast could be a highly anticipated and entertaining event.
Finally, adopting the personal perspective of Shaquille O'Neal himself, his inclination to be roasted might stem from a profound understanding of humor's ability to make even the most extraordinary individuals relatable. Having spent numerous years in the public eye, both as a dominant force on the basketball court and as an engaging entertainer off it, O'Neal might view a roast as another avenue for connecting with his audience – a way to demonstrate that he doesn't take himself too seriously.
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His past foray into acting and television further suggests a comfort with being in the spotlight, even in a potentially vulnerable position. While the thought of performing stand-up comedy might be daunting, being the subject of others' humor allows him to enjoy the comedic process without the pressure of crafting and delivering the jokes himself. His eagerness to collaborate with a seasoned roastmaster like Jeff Ross indicates a desire for a well-crafted and genuinely funny experience, even if he is the primary target of the jokes.