“Don’t be an idiot like me…” Divorced Shaquille O’Neal reveals advice to Super Bowl-winning Kelce brother

Shaquille O'Neal had several ups and downs during his marriage with Shaunie O'Neal.

“Don’t be an idiot like me…” Divorced Shaquille O’Neal reveals advice to Super Bowl-winning Kelce brother

Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce (Credits: Sports Illustrated, People and Cosmopolitan)

Shaquille O’Neal recently gave Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce advice beyond retirement planning. O’Neal’s advice was a genuine caution based on his own life experiences. The NBA icon gave Kelce some straight advice at his Fun House Super Bowl party: appreciate your family and don’t make the same mistakes that Shaq did. It cost him Shaunie O’Neal, a divorce with his former wife.

Looking back, O’Neal freely acknowledged that he had made “a lot of dumb mistakes” in the past, which had caused his marriage with his ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal. Shaq wanted Kelce to know how important it is to put family first and not let success get in your relationships with others. At the Wynn Las Vegas hotel’s XS nightclub on Friday night, Shaq shared his opinions exclusively with Page Six.

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Shaquille O’Neal via Page Six said,

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I just told him to enjoy his family. Don't be an idiot like me. I made a lot of dumb mistakes and lost my family. So I just told him to enjoy his beautiful wife, his kids and just be happy.

Shaq’s advice was real because it was based on his own experiences and regrets. He went through a public divorce and freely accepted responsibility for his marriage’s breakdown.

Shaq gave Kelce advice because he and Shaunie O’Neal were married from 2002 to 2011, the year O’Neal announced his retirement from the NBA. In 2022, he went so far as to publicly blame himself for the divorce, claiming that he had not upheld their marriage promises.

Shaquille O’Neal finally meets Taylor Swift at Super Bowl 2024

The NFL’s premier event, the Super Bowl, has drawn a large number of well-known figures to attendance. Among them is the legendary Shaquille O’Neal of the NBA. Shaq shared a photo of himself with Canadian businessman, Jamie Salter and pop star, Taylor Swift on his official Instagram account while he was there. Posing beside Shaquille O’Neal was Taylor Swift, who was present to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

Shaquille O'Neal and Taylor Swift
Shaquille O’Neal and Taylor Swift (Credits: Vogue and Deadline)

It was just two days before meeting with Taylor, Shaq told Page Six he would feel great to shake hands with Taylor Swift. Shaquille O’Neal said, 

If I see Taylor Swift and get to shake her hand, take a picture, I'll be good.

Following his declaration that he would like to meet Taylor Swift, Shaquille O’Neal appears to have made that wish come true for himself. Shaq disagreed with the fans’ displeasure at getting glimpses of Swift during NFL games. He believed that the NFL made a wise decision by continuing to show her during games.

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