Shaq is getting real about the consequences of his past mistakes and the rocky road to patching things up with his family.
During a recent sit-down with T.I. for the expediTIously podcast, the NBA legend reflected on his marriage and the hard lessons he learned about loyalty. Shaq didn’t hold back when discussing his behavior during his marriage to Shaunie Henderson, admitting he dropped the ball. “I learned that I know better—no better than to be out here bullshitting,” Shaq admitted. “And we’re not weak people, you and I. Sometimes you just get caught up, but we know better.”
The fallout from the divorce didn’t just affect his relationship with Shaunie; it created a massive rift between him and his seven children. Shaq revealed that the tension was so thick that communication completely shut down for a period of time. “In all that, I’m just happy and blessed that they have forgiven me,” Shaq said. “Because me and my babies didn’t talk for a while, and I understood that. But now we’re starting to get closer, and I’m teaching my boys to be better than me. Papa was a rolling stone; you don’t need to be like me.”
He also took a moment to show love to the mothers of his children, expressing deep gratitude for their grace throughout his journey. “Shout out to the mothers of my children. They are beautiful black women, and I love them for forgiving me. I love them for understanding me and not killing me—because she could have shot you,” he joked before getting serious about his responsibilities. “I appreciate them more than they know. If we have a child together, I’m taught to protect, provide, and love. You may not be my wife on paper, but I’m always going to take care of you.”
The road to peace hasn’t been overnight for the O’Neal crew. Shareef O’Neal has been vocal about how much he respects the way his parents eventually figured out how to get along. He previously mentioned how hard it was when they were younger, but now he loves that Shaq can “dap up” Shaunie’s new husband, Pastor Keion Henderson, without any drama.
Even though Shaunie’s 2024 memoir hinted that her bond with Shaq was more about the idea of marriage than the man himself, the family has reached a place where everyone is moving forward. Shaq is even looking toward his own future, claiming he’ll be ready to say “I do” again in about three years.
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