It is quite usual to witness NBA legends reminiscing about their earlier days, specifically their high school era when they would play various sports. These also stir fan emotions and raise speculations of ‘What ifs?’. This time, it is the ‘Big Diesel’ who keeps reiterating his other sports interest, one in particular, American Football. Imagine the 7’1″ big fella guarding the quarterbacks, tackling, and passing catches on a tight-end position! Even though it may sound like an odd picture, one of the most feared players in NBA history is confident of his talents. So what exactly could have led him to choose the NBA?

In the latest episode of the Creativo podcast with Roberto Mtz, Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged his love for football: “I mean football, well American football, I know y’all call football, soccer, so American football. But that was in high school.” This is only about 2 months since Shaq spoke about the times when he decided to pursue an NFL career in the Kountry Wayne Podcast. This time when asked about his position in the game, the answer came with way more confidence, “I played tight end and I was really good.” His motives were clear as he goes on to say, “but basketball paid way more money.” Any clue about the NFL-NBA pay gap in those times?

The late 1980s around which Shaq was in high school, witnessed a downfall for the NFL. As the Orlando Sentinel reported the 80s was “a decade of strikes, suits, strife, and squabbles” for the franchise. As a fallout, there was a revenue shrinkage. The NFL’s roaster with 53 per team compared to the NBA’s 15 further impacted its payout share. Meanwhile, the NBA hiked the salary cap, as reported by the New York Times. Given such a scenario, there is no wonder that Shaq took such a decision. However, a glimpse at the exact trigger might break your curiosity bubble!

As per Shaquille O’Neal’s accounts, it was his father who brought his attention to a newspaper report on John Koncak, the Atlanta Hawks Center, who signed a 15 million USD contract over three years, that served as an immediate trigger. Money was a matter, considering the family’s financial status. However, Shaq was advised by him not to leave LSU for the NBA until he completed his education.

”So you been broke for 18 years, you can be broke for 19 years’‘ said his father as Shaq recollects. Even though he had a disagreement with this advice, his mother’s trick of penning a check balance convinced him of its significance in bringing a balance of education and profession into his life. 

Had he decided against this trigger back then, would he have succeeded at the NFL? While you contemplate this scenario, lets explore the financial difficulties that led Shaq towards the decision. 

The circumstances that mold the choice

A grim and estranged family background, with a d–g addict father, who he never met, is where Shaq has his roots. Even though his mother found another suitable match with Phillip Harrison, a former army sergeant, poverty was not willing to get rid of them. ‘The Big Aristotle’ himself puts it this way, “I was the kid who had to wear the same pair of jeans three times a week, had raggedy sneakers.” This childhood also made him vulnerable to being derailed!

This was primarily because of his family’s inability to arrange a babysitter. Fortunately, he got to spend his time at a Boys and Girls Club at Clinton and Avon, New Jersey, from where he grabbed some skills to survive. Another bright thing that aided him was his multiple interests in basketball, football, and baseball. 

The whole point is that Shaq grew up as a kid who knew the value of money which impacted his decision on his career choices. No wonder the 7-footer has decided not to inherit his money to his children until they are proven worthy of it. 

Still, wondering about the wisdom of his choice of NBA? While that remains subjective, his application of physicality from American football to basketball was quite ingenious and helped him dominate the floor in his 19-year-long career.