Shaquille O’Neal is a self-made man. The NBA Hall of Famer hails from a humble background and has worked incredibly hard for every penny he has earned. Shaq was dominant every time he stepped onto the court. Not only was he a great player, but he also achieved everything he has ventured to do outside of the sport. Shaq went back to get his college degree, respecting a promise he made to his mother. He also branched out to create his music as a rapper and then a DJ. There is plenty more the Los Angeles Lakers star has accomplished to reach a net worth of $600 million. However, the Diesel made an announcement that has received mixed reviews from everyone.

The four-time NBA champion has decided that his sons do not get a penny from him. This controversial take on self-sufficiency was recently challenged by a former NFL star.

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the richest basketball players but has no money for his sons

In previous interviews, Shaquille O’Neal has revealed that while his daughters can stay with him for as long as they want, his sons are to leave when they turn eighteen. 

The four-time NBA champion has received heavy criticism from former NFL star Marcellus Wiley for his take. The former pro-footballer went on his YouTube channel to post a video of himself asking Shaq to text him back.

He went on to share his disagreement with Shaq’s decision in his monologue; “My daughter’s in grad school. She’s 24, but I still support her. I don’t believe in that cutting-off stuff. I don’t let the government at 18! Or just society at large, 21! That’s my daughter, as long as daddy’s alive and when I’m gone especially… she gonna have full reign. But as long as I’m here, I’m looking out.”

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Marcellus Wiley shares why he is not in favor of cutting-off children at legal age

Marcellus Wiley justified his disagreement by explaining why it is unfair to just cut off children at a young age. He said he too wants his daughter to earn her own money and become independent, but not by hanging her out to dry. The defensive end explained, “At 18, you’ve been raising them that whole time. To say bye-bye, fly baby fly? [It’s] not right.”

Sharing his personal experience with the predicament, Wiley said, “It didn’t feel good to me at 18. The times [when] I was like, I need support, I need help, and they were like, You grown! I was like how am I grown? I just don’t live here anymore, I ain’t grown man.”

To each their own. Though Wiley’s reasoning is sound, will it change Shaq’s opinion? Let us know your side on the topic in the comments section.

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