Shaq gets candid on divorce, regrets in podcast interview: ‘I was arrogant, I was dumb’

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal opened up about his divorce in a latest podcast interview and received candid concerning the loneliness that adopted afterward.

O’Neal and Shaunie O’Neal received married in 2002 whereas the previous heart was within the midst of his run with the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant. The 2 had 4 youngsters earlier than finalizing their divorce in 2011.

“I used to be simply being grasping. I had the right scenario. Spouse was finer than a mug. Saved giving me infants, nonetheless finer than a mug – I had all of it,” O’Neal informed Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor on “The Pivot Podcast.”

Shaunie O’Neal would file for divorce in 2009, citing “irreconcilable variations,” in keeping with TMZ Sports activities. However Shaq mentioned the blame was on him.

“I had all of it, and I do not make excuses. I do know I tousled,” the Basketball Corridor of Famer mentioned.

O’Neal, who final performed within the NBA throughout the 2010-11 season, mentioned he felt “misplaced” and lonely after the divorce was over and his enjoying profession was completed.

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Shaunie O’Neal attends the grand opening of Shaquille’s at L.A. Stay on March 9, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
(Michael Tullberg/Getty Photos)

“No youngsters. You go to the health club, no person’s enjoying within the health club. You go to their room, no person’s there. You begin to really feel it,” he mentioned. “As you become old and also you hear ‘Shaq can’t Shaq no extra’ and then you definately notice Shaq ain’t Shaq and also you go from averaging 30 and 19 … I mentioned to myself OK, you’re not married however you continue to have to guard and supply for this household. Get you’re a– up, man up, let’s go.”

O’Neal then revealed three main regrets he had throughout his profession. He mentioned the divorce was one among them in addition to his frayed relationships with teammates Penny Hardaway and Bryant.

“Simply because belongings you do make you appear to be you are good, you are not good,” he mentioned. “Massive mistake within the Penny relationship. Massive mistake within the Kobe relationship. Horrible mistake in each marriages. Aside from that I do not actually dwell on lots, however these issues I actually dwell on. As a result of one, I do know higher … I do not wish to make excuses, however I had lots happening. I used to be conceited, I used to be dumb, and generally while you do lots of stuff you do not wish to work at stuff.

Shaquille and Shaunie O’Neal at Muhammad Ali’s Movie star Struggle Evening XIV on the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa on April 5, 2008, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
(Michael Caulfield/WireImage)

“These are the one three main regrets that I’ve. All the pieces else, I attempt to not dwell on. I am glad that I’ve lived my life and I did it my manner.”