"Don't call me that anymore" - Shaquille O'Neal explains why he wants people to stop treating him like a celebrity

Yahoo

2 days ago

Shaquille O'Neal is hard to miss. His 7'1" frame instantly shifts the air in a room. His presence arrives before he even says a word. Add to that the legacy of a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP, and one of the most dominant forces the league has ever seen, and it's no wonder people treat him like larger-than-life royalty.
He's been the face of Nike campaigns, TNT broadcasts, Hollywood cameos, and every brand in between. But O'Neal himself doesn't want that label.
No celebrity tag
Although the Los Angeles icon has a stacked NBA resume and a booming broadcast career, "Big Diesel" doesn't want to be associated with or seen as a celebrity.
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"I don't want to be in that category," he said. "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."
It's a surprising sentiment, considering how entrenched the one-time MVP is in the media space. After all, this is the man who danced his way through Pepsi commercials in the '90s, starred in films like Blue Chips and Kazaam and carved out a post-retirement lane as one of television's most entertaining sports analysts on Inside the NBA.
But even with all the flashing lights and booming endorsements, O'Neal has no interest in being seen as part of the same culture, which he says has gone off the rails. The Hall of Famer was never a typical flashy superstar. On the court, he was brutal. A 325-pound juggernaut who shattered backboards ran the floor like a locomotive and forced teams to hack him just to slow him down.
Over a 19-year career, he racked up 28,596 points, 13,099 rebounds and 15 All-Star appearances. Off the court, he often defied the stereotypes — opting to finish his college degree at LSU in 2000, then later earning an MBA and even a doctorate in education.
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But the public perception hasn't always kept up with the man behind the smile. And that's where the tension lies. To many, O'Neal is a celebrity because he fits the bill — fame, money, charisma, mass appeal. But to him, "celebrity" carries a darker connotation: entitlement, eccentricity, detachment from reality. He's seen enough of it to want no part.
That mindset didn't develop overnight. The four-time NBA champion grew up in a military-style household led by his stepfather, Sergeant Phillip Harrison, who preached discipline, humility, and service. Even at the height of his basketball fame, he never lost touch with the grounding forces that shaped him.
Related: "He's Mr. Discipline, Mr. Straight, Mr. Conservative" - Dennis Rodman admits Gregg Popovich was "the big problem" in San Antonio
O'Neal's perception
"Big Diesel" would rather be remembered for doing good for society. The real legacy he wants to leave behind isn't tied to stats, trophies, or showbiz success. It's in the lives he's touched, the strangers he's helped, and the communities he's tried to uplift without seeking attention.
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"All my life, everyone probably gets stereotyped, but us celebrities, we get stereotyped because most of these celebrities are out of their mind," Shaq said. "I don't do that. I'm a regular person that listened, followed his dreams and made it."
Whether it's secretly paying off a struggling family's bill at a furniture store, buying a laptop for a kid in need, gifting kids Nintendo or Playstation, or covering the funeral costs for strangers who never expected his help, O'Neal shows up without cameras rolling.
These aren't publicity stunts. They're quiet gestures of someone who knows how far a little kindness can go.
In 2021, he made headlines for helping a young man buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend after overhearing his dilemma at a jewelry store. He didn't ask for a thank you. He didn't want a viral moment. He just saw someone trying their best and decided to step in.
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His philanthropic reach goes far beyond one-off moments. He has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, served as a national spokesperson for The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and used his platform to support underprivileged communities across the country. For him, making money is easy — making an impact is the real calling.
Related: "I tell them all the time. We ain't rich. I'm rich" - Shaquille O'Neal on giving his kids a harsh lesson about earning their own wealth