The fun-loving Shaquille O’Neal we all know and love today went through some really dark phases in life. The Hall of Famer’s larger-than-life personality stems from his storied experiences in his eventful life. Some of which he has candidly shared in his recent documentary, ‘SHAQ’. Among other things pertaining to his career and life, in the four-part documentary, O’Neal sheds light on the trying times when he lost his children after an ugly split with his former wife Shaunie. While reflecting on the distant past, the Los Angeles Lakers legend issued a gruesome admission.
The candid admission outlined stark emotions amid a rock bottom that O’Neal had reached in his life at that point. Moreover, while doing so, the Big Fella almost broke down in tears.
Shaquille O’Neal reflects on his disheartening past
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Shaquille O’Neal, much like many of his Hall of Fame peers, produced a documentary covering his eventful life and career late last year. The four-part documentary, dubbed?SHAQ,?covers the different aspects of his life in sequential order. Likewise, in the fourth and final episode of the documentary, the 4x NBA champion sheds light on he how went from “Shaq to Shaquille”.?
The Big Fella’s grueling journey of becoming a more mature adult from a superstar in Hollywood hit a major turning point at the tail end of his career. After repeated rumors of O’Neal’s infidelity taking center stage, his then-wife, Shaunie O’Neal, filed for divorce. Consequently, the Big Diesel, who shared four children with her by that point, was separated from them under various social and legal complications. This took a huge toll on the Big Fella. While reflecting on the same, O’Neal, on multiple occasions, has referred to it as one of the lowest points in his life.?
Similarly, in one of the segments of the final installment in the HBO documentary SHAQ, the Big Aristotle candidly revealed his harsh reality from back then. In an emotional monologue, O’Neal expressed,?“All the cryin’ and all the tears’, I’ve never been shot or stabbed, but it felt like that…You walk in the room where the kids used to play, there’s nothing. You go in their room and you look at their closet, all their clothes are gone. Everything is gone….that’s not a good feeling.”?
The shock factor of losing his kids and all their belongings in an empty house certainly took an emotional toll on the 7’1” Hall of Famer. So much so that O’Neal has come a long way since his questionable ways after that mind-numbing reality.?
Shaq’s relationship with his kids today
Fast forward to today, things have gotten much better for the former Finals MVP since. O’Neal shares an amicable relationship with Shaunie and all six of his kids.
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He is also very much involved in their budding lives. All of his children have grown to be immensely successful in their own right. Most of them are very much into basketball and often take inspiration from their father.?
Watch the Story – Shaquille O’Neal celebrates wholesome Christmas with daughters and sons
On the other hand, outside basketball, O’Neal spends time guiding his millionaire sons on the nuances of business and the industry.??
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