When it comes to larger-than-life personalities, Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, has always been at the top of the list. Whether on the basketball court or in pop culture, the NBA Hall of Famer is never one to shy away from the spotlight. Recently, a viral photo sparked rumors that Shaq might be off the dating market again. But in true Shaq fashion, his response was nothing short of humorous and direct. Here’s how the seven-foot-one icon handled the situation.
It all started when Maria Ozuna Teachey, a social media influencer, posted a photo of herself with a towering man standing behind her. The mirror selfie cut off the man’s head, but the size of his hands and the sheer height disparity led internet sleuths to believe that the man might be none other than Shaq. Teachey’s caption, “Unapologetically us. Can y’all guess who feet? #loveyou,” only fueled the speculation as followers flooded her Instagram comments, trying to confirm their suspicions.
Before long, the rumor mill was in full swing, with people wondering if Shaquille O’Neal had found a new girlfriend. One particularly popular Instagram account, WorldStar, reposted the picture and added fuel to the fire by asking its audience, “Folks on social media seem to think #Shaq has a new girlfriend.”
As the buzz grew louder, it wasn’t long before the man himself got wind of the situation. But instead of issuing a formal statement or staying quiet, Shaq responded in the most Shaq-like way possible: with humor. In the comments section of WorldStar’s post, the former Lakers star simply replied, “Nope, not the kid.”
This short and witty response quickly went viral, leaving fans laughing at how casually he dismissed the rumors. But Shaq, never one to miss an opportunity for entertainment, wasn’t done yet.
To further squash the rumors—and add a bit of comedic flair—Shaq took to his own Instagram account to share a video of himself with five women. In the clip, the basketball legend stood confidently with the ladies, captioning the post, “Is this my girlfriend too? Trust me, I’ll let y’all know who my woman is, and by the way, my woman name is Shaqirah.”
The humor didn’t stop there. Shaq followed up with another post, this time lip-synching to a famous Denzel Washington scene from Training Day. His caption? “I will let y’all know when I’m in love.” Shaq’s playful attitude kept fans entertained and ensured that, once again, he was in control of the narrative.
While Shaq was busy making jokes and clarifying that he wasn’t the mystery man, Maria Ozuna Teachey seemed to retreat from the situation. The original post that started all the rumors was eventually deleted from her Instagram account, though it still remained visible on her Facebook page.
Whether she removed the post to quiet the buzz or for personal reasons is unclear. However, the disappearance of the photo hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about her relationship status or wondering if the towering figure behind her was, in fact, Shaq.
For someone with such a public persona, Shaquille O’Neal has been notably private when it comes to his personal life, especially after his divorce from Shaunie Henderson in 2011. Shaunie, the founder of Amirah, Inc. and creator of Basketball Wives, shares five children with Shaq: Shareef, Amirah, Me’arah, Shaqir, and Myles, her son from a previous relationship. Shaq also has another daughter, Taahirah, from a relationship with ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh.
Despite being linked to several women over the years, Shaq has remained tight-lipped about his dating life. He’s often kept the focus on his business ventures, sports commentary, and philanthropic efforts. For someone who lives in the public eye, Shaq’s decision to maintain some level of privacy in his personal relationships has been admirable.
Even though Shaq is no longer active on the court, he continues to be a larger-than-life figure in American culture. Whether it’s through his role as a sports commentator, his acting gigs, or his involvement in various business ventures, the Olympic gold medalist has proven that he’s more than just a basketball player.
One of the more entertaining moments of his post-basketball career was when he challenged Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to a race on his show, Shaq Vs.. Though Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, had to swim 50 yards to Shaq’s 25, the big man’s competitive spirit was on full display. And while Shaq didn’t beat the swimming legend outright, the race was a testament to his enduring love for competition and fun.
In typical Shaquille O’Neal fashion, the NBA legend turned what could have been an awkward rumor into a moment of levity and fun. By addressing the viral photo with humor and a bit of swagger, Shaq once again reminded the world why he’s such an iconic figure. Whether it’s on the basketball court or on social media, Shaq knows how to keep things light while staying in control of the story.
At the end of the day, while rumors about his dating life may swirl, Shaq’s playful approach shows that he’s entirely unbothered by the speculation. And as always, if there’s anything major happening in his life, you can bet he’ll let us know—on his own terms.
