Shaq Blames Himself for Divorce from Ex-Wife Shaunie O’Neal: I Wasn’t Protecting Her and Protecting Those Vows” [Video]

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal took accountability for his divorce from ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal.

The pair got married in December 2002 but separated five years later when Shaq filed for divorce. They tried to reconcile, but the “Basketball Wives” creator chose to end it in November 2009.

They have since been a positive example of co-parenting and still support each other in life.

O’Neal spoke about their relationship during a recent episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” in which he held himself accountable for the divorce.

“I never talked about this, but I’m glad you guys asked me because I don’t mind talking about this,” he told hosts Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor, and Ryan Clark. “But I was bad. She was awesome. She really was. It was all me.”

He continued, “Look we don’t need to talk about what I was doing but I wasn’t protecting her and protecting those vows. Sometimes when you live that double life, you get caught up. So I’m not gonna say it was her, it was all me.”

He didn’t go into the details of what he actually did to feel this way, but Shaunie previously admitted Shaq cheated, amongst other lingering issues, which led to their split in 2009.

The relationship inspired her to create the VH1 series “Basketball Wives.”

“She did exactly what she was supposed to do, gave me beautiful kids, take care of the house, takes care of corporate stuff. It was just all me,” said Shaq. “Sometimes when you make a lot of mistakes like that you can’t really come back.”

The two share four biological children: Shareef, 22,  Amirah, 20, Shaqir, 19, and Me’Arah, 15. Shaq has a daughter, Taahirah, from an earlier relationship, and he adopted Shaunie’s son, Myles, 20.

Shaq previously said he wouldn’t embarrass Shaunie or his ex-girlfriend and Taahirah‘s mother, Arnetta Yardbourgh.

During his guest appearance on “The Pivot Podcast,” the former Lakers player also spoke on how he handles co-parenting and deals with family issues.

He replied, “It’s not about having issues. It’s just, I run my life on the PPL principles. You protect, you provide, and you love. Even if we’re fighting, I’m not going to embarrass her amongst the world. Even if we’re in an argument, no. Hell no.”