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Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal went after former NFL star Robert Griffin III over the ex-quarterback’s remarks about Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
O’Neal appeared to be upset over Griffin coming to the defense of Reese as he reshared a racist picture depicting her as a monkey on the cover of a video game. In the same post, Griffin wrote that he was told by someone from her “inner circle” that Reese hates Caitlin Clark.
The odd post caught the attention of the sports world last week. O’Neal made his comments about it on the “Off the Record” podcast. His appearance hit the internet on Tuesday.
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Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal attends the unveiling of the Shaq Courts at the Doolittle Complex donated by Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with the city of Las Vegas on Oct. 23, 2021 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot)
“RG3, tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m gonna punch you in your f—ing face,” O’Neal said. “It’s enough. I don’t usually do stuff like this, but just stop it bro,” O’Neal said. “You got your job, you got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone. I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F—ing stop it. That’s the last time.
“It’s not real hate. If you look around at what’s going on in this real country, that’s hate. This is sports. I’m not supposed to like you. It’s a shame that all the stuff that you did in your life, you’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. You’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. That should tell you you’re not that f—ing great. I don’t want to be remembered for Shaq’s ‘Big Podcast.’ I do not.”
O’Neal said he’s been talking to Reese and imploring her not to respond. He added that Griffin should leave WNBA players alone and stick to his own sport.
Griffin didn’t immediately respond to O’Neal’s post.
He wrote several paragraphs on social media, first coming to the defense of Reese after a racist image of her NBA 2K26 appeared. He said there was “no place for racism in the world” and that Reese “should never be called or depicted as a monkey”
Griffin added that he was quiet about Reese because of the hate he and his family received over the most recent discourse in May after a contentious moment between the two WNBA stars.
“That will never be OK with me. I never attacked her or her family when I stated and backed up with clear basketball evidence that Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. It’s sports. Everybody won’t like each other,” he added. “People in Angel’s inner circle called me and told me I was right, and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III works out prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Baltimore on Oct. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
CAITLIN CLARK NEEDS TO BE HELD BACK IN HEATED CONFRONTATION WITH WNBA REF
“Some people made it about race, but I never did and never will. Instead of becoming the villain in anyone’s story, I decided to just not. All that being said, Angel Reese or any Black man or woman should never be called or depicted as a Monkey. Ever.”
Reese appeared to respond to Griffin’s remarks in a separate post.
“lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work,” she wrote.
Reese’s mom also claimed Griffin was lying about talking with the basketball player’s inner circle.”
“Whomever U say “called” U is not in her circle 2 speak on her feelings towards a media/fandom made up beef,” she wrote. “Just stay on that side bc the doors are closed over here.”
Griffin fired back.
“I spoke up in support of Angel Reese against racism not to start drama,” he wrote on X. “But I won’t let anyone twist the truth just because it’s inconvenient to them. Instead of trying to check me, just tighten up your circle.
“They calling me and saying you hate Caitlin Clark, not the other way around. I have zero interest in being the villain in anyone’s story. I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports. But I won’t pretend or lie just to protect feelings.”
Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese heads to the locker room after being ejected from a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty during the second half on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Griffin made the initial claim that Reese “hates” Clark after the Sky and Fever stars got into a heated skirmish in May.
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Both Clark and Reese were named to the All-Star Game.
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