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BURBANK, CA – JANUARY 13: Shaunie O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal celebrate Shareef O’Neal’s 18th birthday party at West Coast Customs on January 13, 2018 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)

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BURBANK, CA – JANUARY 13: Shaunie O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal celebrate Shareef O’Neal’s 18th birthday party at West Coast Customs on January 13, 2018 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
The Big Aristotle of the NBA is known to impart his wisdom for the world to listen to and follow. 51-year-old Shaquille O’Neal is the kind of person who always put his life lessons on display for others to take note of. Having been through some turbulent lows and the highest of highs in his eventful life, Shaq is definitely the person to pay attention to. Last month, the 4x NBA champion shared some knowledge related to marriage while criticizing the modern takes on relationships.
Shaq was married to his ex-wife Shaunie from 2002 to 2011. After the two parted ways, Shaq has never remarried, although he has been in several relationships since. Whereas, Shaunie got married to Pastor Keion Henderson 6 months ago. On an episode of It’s Non-Negotiable Podcast, Shaq blasted the people who complicate the idea of relationships and marriage.
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Shaquille O’Neal gives a simple mantra for marriage
The 15x NBA All-Star was on It’s Non-Negotiable podcast last month where he talked about having a different outlook on marriage. One of the hosts on the show, Ernestine Johnson, compared personal relationships to business relationships. She said that for business and personal relationships, there should be a manual. Johnson said, “It’s just like filling out a job application.” O’Neal was quick to respond to her take. He replied, “It shouldn’t be. A relationship should be simple.” Shaq then went on to further simplify his take on relationships and marriage.

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 25: Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal speaks at the 12th Annual Lakers All-Access Event at Staples Center on January 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
He said, “I like you. You like me. Let’s just grow together.” Even after Shaq tried to keep it simple, Johnson responded with her idea of what a marriage should be. She said that before getting married to her husband, they went through pre-marital counseling to understand the requirements of “this job.” Shaq immediately disagreed with her way of getting into a marriage. He said, “A man’s job is to protect, provide and love for his woman.” When asked about what love means for the 51-year-old, he said that if you have reached the point of marriage, you already know what love means to you.
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He added that the meaning of love differs from person to person. However, Johnson disagreed with Shaq’s opinion on love and marriage.
Shaquille O’Neal blames himself for the end of his marriage to Shaunie
The 7 foot 1 giant believes that his own mistakes ended up costing him his marriage to Shaunie. Shaq has said on several occasions that he only has himself to blame for his failed marriage. Shaq revealed on The Pivot Podcast last year that he was a serial cheater during his marriage to Shaunie.
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He said that “She was awesome. She really was. It was all me” while talking about his ex-wife. We have seen several phases of the NBA legend over the years. But this has to be his most mature phase at 51 years of age.
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