A recent viral photo had social media buzzing, suggesting that NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal might have a new romantic interest. The buzz started when an image of an unidentified man with his arms around a woman surfaced online, leading many to speculate that the towering figure could only be the seven-foot-one basketball legend. However, Shaq’s response to the rumor was nothing short of classic Shaq humor—direct, playful, and totally on-brand.
The Viral Photo That Got Fans Talking
The photo, posted by Maria Ozuna Teachey on her Instagram account, showed a tall man embracing her from behind, but the mystery man’s face was cleverly cropped out of the shot. Teachey’s caption read, “Unapologetically us. Can y’all guess who feet? #loveyou,” which sparked a flurry of guesses in the comment section. Given the height and the size of the man’s hands, it didn’t take long for followers to suggest that the man could be none other than Shaquille O’Neal.
Fans were quick to jump on the theory that Shaq had a new girlfriend, turning the otherwise innocent post into a viral sensation. As the rumor mill churned, social media detectives pieced together clues, attempting to match the height and stature of the unknown man to that of the basketball icon.
Shaq’s Playful Response: ‘Nope, Not the Kid’
When the viral account WorldStar reposted the image, they captioned it, “Folks on social media seem to think #Shaq has a new girlfriend.” But Shaq, never one to shy away from a good laugh, didn’t let the speculation go unanswered.
In typical Shaq style, he responded with a short, yet humorous comment: “Nope, not the kid.” It was the perfect response, reflecting his lighthearted approach to rumors and giving fans a good chuckle in the process. But Shaq didn’t stop there. To further play with the narrative, he took to his own Instagram account to share a video with five women, humorously captioning it, “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.”
Shaq Embraces the Rumor with a Touch of Denzel Washington
Shaq’s humorous antics continued when he posted a clip of himself lip-syncing to Denzel Washington’s iconic speech from Training Day, accompanied by the caption, “I will let y’all know when I’m in love.” With this post, Shaq made it clear that when he’s ready to reveal his relationship status, his fans will be the first to know—on his terms and with his signature sense of humor.
Despite his cheeky responses, Maria Ozuna Teachey has since deleted the original post from her Instagram account, but it remains visible on her Facebook page. Whether the mystery man is Shaq or not, the former NBA superstar managed to turn the speculation into a comedic moment, leaving fans entertained rather than left hanging.
Shaq’s Relationship History: A Look Back
Although Shaq keeps his current dating life relatively private, he hasn’t always been under the radar. In 2011, Shaquille O’Neal and his then-wife, Shaunie Henderson, officially divorced after five children and nearly a decade of marriage. Shaunie, who went on to create the hit TV series Basketball Wives, shares five children with Shaq: Shareef, Amirah, Me’arah, Shaqir, and Myles B. O’Neal (Shaunie’s son from a previous relationship).
Shaq also has a daughter, Taahirah O’Neal, from a previous relationship with ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh. Despite the ups and downs in his personal life, Shaq has maintained a strong bond with his children and ex-partners, showing a more private side of himself away from the limelight.
Shaq’s Other Noteworthy Public Moments
Beyond his private life, Shaq has made headlines for other hilarious and memorable moments throughout his career. One of the most famous of these occurred when Shaq competed against swimming legend Michael Phelps in a 2009 race during the TV show Shaq Vs.—a series where O’Neal challenged athletes from various sports. In typical Shaq fashion, the NBA star boasted of his athletic prowess before the race, though there was one small catch: Shaq only had to swim 25 yards, while Phelps had to complete 50 yards with a five-second head start. In the end, Shaq finished in 23.14 seconds, while Phelps completed his race in 24.03 seconds.
Although Shaq’s playful rivalry with Phelps was part of a TV series, it highlighted the former Lakers star’s willingness to embrace challenges and poke fun at himself—traits that continue to endear him to fans both on and off the court.
Shaq’s Everlasting Humor and Popularity
Shaq’s ability to entertain, even in the face of rumors, is part of what makes him one of the most beloved figures in sports. His larger-than-life personality, combined with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor, ensures that he stays relevant—even years after his retirement from professional basketball.
From his time as an NBA legend to his ongoing work as a broadcaster and entertainer, Shaquille O’Neal has always found a way to keep the spotlight on himself—whether he’s dispelling rumors about his love life or swimming against Michael Phelps. As Shaq himself says, “I’ll let y’all know when I’m in love.” Until then, fans will just have to enjoy the ride and expect more hilarious posts from the big man himself.
Conclusion
Shaquille O’Neal’s response to the viral dating rumors exemplifies his trademark humor and his ability to stay grounded, even as public speculation swirls. His lighthearted dismissal of the claims serves as a reminder of his playful nature and his skill at turning any situation into a laugh. Whether or not the mystery man is Shaq, one thing remains certain: when Shaq has news to share, he’ll do so in his own unforgettable way—filled with humor, wit, and a little bit of Shaq-style bravado.
