![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/shaq-jason-kelce.png?width=600)
via Imago
via Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/shaq-jason-kelce.png?width=600)
via Imago
via Imago
Shaquille O’Neal is having a pretty busy Super Bowl weekend. This, however, is part and parcel of being Shaq. Even with his packed schedule, O’Neal always finds time to do what he loves. A social media savant, the 7’1″ giant has never been hesitant to speak his mind across his various channels. Now, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, the 4x champion has decided to take on the brother of this year’s most talked-about NFL name. Amid his connections with Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce has been the talk of the town. However, it’s his slightly lesser-known brother Jason that the Lakers legend has laid his eyes on.
In a strongly-worded social media message, O’Neal has taken the opportunity provided by the Super Bowl’s buzz to attack Jason’s Papa John’s pizza. O’Neal, who also has a pizza named after himself with the $2.37 billion-worth brand, decided to go head-to-head in terms of flavor and appeal with the creation named after Jason. On his Instagram stories, Shaq said, “Who the hell wants some Jason Kelce pizza? Does he have pepperonis? What does he have?”.
Shaquille O’Neal then went into the details of his own pizza, talking about the overflowing pepperoni, which he estimates to be around 50 to 60, to the melting cheese which can only be described in the illegible sounds he was making. He finished his diss of Kelce’s pizza with a punchline, begging the question, “What the hell’s a Kelce pizza anyway?” To be fair to the Orlando legend, though, he did let Kelce come back with his own take on the pizza battle. Kelce responded to ‘Big Diesel’ almost like a Masterchef judge.
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Instead of playing on emotions the way O’Neal did, Jason said, “I’ll tell you what a Kelce pizza has that a Shaq-a-roni doesn’t.” He then went on to talk about a few ingredients and textures that differentiate his pizza from Shaq’s, including banana peppers. He also boasts about a combination of sweet and spicy flavors. He topped it off by saying, “It’s much more complex, much more well-rounded.”
Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Unveils Real Heartfelt Reason Behind Papa Johns Collaboration
To be fair to the dominant center, his collaboration with Papa John’s goes far beyond the pizza he’s flexing against Kelce. For Shaq, his relationship has a much deeper meaning and strives to achieve a goal greater than just creating mouth-watering fast food.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Papa John’s goes beyond pizza
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Everyone knows that ‘Big Diesel’s’ impact and reach go far beyond the United States. In an attempt to capture the largest populace in the world, China, Shaquille O’Neal and Papa John’s took their talents over 7000 miles away. It’s here that the ‘Gentle Giant’ claims that he is providing more than just pizza through his franchise.
Going beyond the norm of a fast food chain, the Los Angeles Lakers said at the grand opening of his Shanghai store, “We’re not just making pizza; we’re crafting moments for people to share together.”
Another element that adds a special touch to his relationship with the franchise is the impact of his mother Lucille. Known for being a massively positive influence on his life, his mother’s words have often resulted in some of Shaq’s greatest contributions to society, including his Shaq-a-claus initaitve and his collaboration with the iconic pizza franchise.
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Whether it’s his playing career or his business decisions, it’s safe to say that Shaquille O’Neal often goes above and beyond the norm. The big man has always been about affecting hearts, and he continues to do so in every facet of his diverse life.
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