Shaquille O’Neal has never pretended he’s just another retired legend telling stories from a safe distance. Even at 53, he still carries himself like someone who could wander into a gym, call “next,” and make people take him seriously, until reality, and two teenagers, remind everyone that time always wins eventually.
On The Big Podcast with Shaq, in an episode featuring Tom Brady, O’Neal described a recent run in the Bahamas that ended with an unexpected punchline.
“I got smoked by two German kids in the Bahamas,” Shaq said.
Shaq on hooping at age 53:
“I got smoked by two German kids in the Bahamas.” 💀
Full Tom Brady episode: https://t.co/WRbPVUlOqm pic.twitter.com/5BtpYCci1P
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) December 19, 2025
The quote immediately works on two levels. First, it’s funny because it’s Shaq: a 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer, four-time champion, one of the most physically dominant players the sport has ever seen, casually admitting he got cooked. Second, it’s funny because it’s believable.
