“Didn’t Know What I Was Gonna Do!”: Despite 70,000 Sq Ft House and Millionaire Status, ‘Lonely’ Shaquille O’Neal Faced a Tumultuous Phase After NBA Career

The NBA makes a lot of players coming from an ordinary backgrounds, into superstars and millionaires. The sheer scale of the league changes the lives of people, especially those who come from a lot of hardship. Players like Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have seen similar days in their journey to superstardom. However, even with all the grit, money and success in the world, there are inexplicable thoughts that can cause mental health issues.

In the past, many players have spoken about their experiences dealing with mental health issues and how they tried to overcome them. Similarly this time, the legendary Shaq decided to speak his truth and why he felt different than before.

Shaquille O’Neal opens up on difficult issues at the end of his career

The Los Angeles Lakers legend has always been a charming personality who could light up the room. He was entertaining off the court and on the court, a quality very few people possess. In the midst of entertaining the audience, there came a time when the Big Aristotle was lost and recently he decided to talk all about it.

In a conversation on Win Big with Clinton Sparks, the Los Angeles Lakers legend opened up on his life after retirement.

“..I had everything that I wanted,” said Shaq. He further added, ” And when I retired I still was, I don’t like to use the D-word[Depression], cause I know it’s a real problem, but I was gone for a while. I didn’t have anything. I was used to waking up, eating breakfast, going to practice this and that, but when I retired it was just like waking up and.. I was really walking around and[inaudible] and saying ‘Hey neighbor!’.. Like for three and four months, I didn’t know what I was gonna do.“

Furthermore, Shaq mentioned how his job at NBA on TNT really helped him but before that he felt miserable. It isn’t uncommon for athletes who retire at an earlier age than the average person to feel like this, as many feel lonely. Hence, the smart ones decide to branch out to different avenues including sportscasting. Shaq really did have everything, including a 70,000 sq. ft. mansion. However, it seems like money isn’t the solution to everything.

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Mental health has been a prevalent issue in the sports world for a long time. However, athletes and the people around them have started to talk about these issues and make it into a healthy conversation.

The ‘mental health’ conversation in the sports world

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka was one of those athletes who sought a break from their respective sport to take a breath and deal with their mental health. The USA Olympic gold medalist, Simeone Biles also took some time away from gymnastics because she was extremely stressed in her private life.

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In the NBA, recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo took a huge step to start a conversation on mental health as he collaborated with Antidote Health to provide free mental health services in Milwaukee, WI.

What are your thoughts on the changing environment affecting the players? Let us know in the comments below.