6 Police Cars Rushed to the Scene after Shaquille O’Neal Faced a Security Threat During His Orlando Magic Days, Ex-Teammates Reveal

What would a die-hard Shaquille O’Neal fan do to get a glimpse of the big man? Apparently, a lot. Some fans have done the most outlandish things to get their favorite basketball star’s attention. In the latest segment of ‘Ultra Moments’, Jeff Weltman and Nick Anderson shared how O’Neal’s fans once sneaked into the airport!

Those fans ended up violating the rules of the government property and what happened later was not pleasant. The incident took place in Philadelphia. “On this night the gates opened the bus went through the gates and one Intrepid driver forged his way through the gate before it closed and here’s this car these people just jump out scream calling Shaq’s names and other players but on a protected Federal property well that’s not a very smart thing to do and when the bus pulled up the car was sitting there…,” Weltman and Anderson explained.

“Then you see a flashing of blue lights and about five or six police cars pulled up and these flashing lights are happening. We get off the bus and we see this, think there were two or three people there, you know. They’re all you know basically being put in handcuffs, they’re going to be taken away.”

The pair shared that despite taking the risk, fans were not able to obtain a photo with O’Neal or even his autograph. The Los Angeles Lakers legend was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and played for the franchise till 1996. While he is kindest with all his fans, the Big Man of the league has one important rule for the fans. What could it be?

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Refuses To Call Chris Bosh a Dominant Player Despite Udonis Haslem’s Bold Claim

Shaquille O’Neal’s fans must follow this rule

The 4x champion doesn’t mind stopping at the street just to pose for a picture or sign an autograph for you. He also might share a few words of encouragement to light up your day. However, he has one strict rule when greeting fans. O’Neal doesn’t like to greet the fans when he is eating.

“Only time I say no is when I’m eating. Let me get done eating and I’ll take care of you. I always say yes to kids, always say yes to elderly people, always say yes to people that are extremely nice. Rarely do I say no. But if I’m eating a meal with the boys and you come over? I don’t want to be touching hands when I’m eating my big chicken sandwiches,” O’Neal shared in an interview with GQ magazine in 2023.

However, on the flip side, there have been times when fans were not so kind to O’Neal. In 2021, he opened up about it on the ‘Big Podcast’. “Sacramento was probably the toughest city. We go out before the games, and people would be talking about something and I said bro, I’m at like if I go out or something. But like bruh, say what you wanna say about the game, I’m eating these pancakes. You f*cking touch me, I’m gonna break your mother f*cking jaw,” he stated. Who would want to annoy the 7’1”, 300+ pound athlete?

But do you remember O’Neal’s days in the Lakers? During the early 2000s, the Lakers-Kings rivalry was huge and surely, some Kings fans would have hurled insults at him. Still, considering how much fans look up to O’Neal, it seems an anomaly. His big personality, comic timing, and charitable nature have made him an icon. What do you think?

READ MORE: Stephen Jackson’s “Losers” Rant on $100 Million Rejection for NBA Honor Gains Shaquille O’Neal and 7x Champion’s Approval