Shaquille O’Neal found himself back in the content mill this week after a harmless photo spiraled into a full-blown rumor cycle. The image, originally posted by Monique Martin, showed her standing next to Shaq with his arms around her during a friendly visit.
The caption read, “My favorite guy is back in town and of course he stopped by to see his favorite people!! Class act always, which is why I love seeing that face pop in!!!”
Things went sideways when @the4thquartertv_ reposted the photo on Instagram with their own spin, suggesting that Shaquille O’Neal had “surprised another man’s wife” and that Martin’s reaction hinted at something more than friendship.
No evidence was presented beyond the caption and the photo itself, but the insinuation traveled fast, because this is the internet.
Shaquille O’Neal did not let it breathe. He jumped into the comments with a blunt response that left little room for interpretation. “Yes, my boy’s wife. I can tell y’all site is broke and needs money,” O’Neal wrote. “Nice try, this is the reason y’all always gonna be a broke blog. Thanks for making me more money though #dummies.”
As expected, fans sided heavily with Shaquille O’Neal, pointing out that friendly photos do not equal misconduct. For Shaquille O’Neal, the bigger takeaway was clear. False narratives might trend, but shutting them down publicly still matters, especially when silence becomes currency for blogs chasing attention.
Shaquille O’Neal Steals the Spotlight at World Cup Draw With “David Blackham” Joke
Shaquille O’Neal did it again. The United States of America is set to host one of the, if not the, largest sporting spectacle in the world. And with the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the draw was one of the pre-tourney rituals that’s heavily watched. And just leave it to Shaq to have his own moment at a stage this big.
“You know what they call me in the soccer world?” Shaquille O’Neal asked the crowd before answering himself. “David Blackham.”
Even years after stepping away from basketball, Shaquille O’Neal has carved out a role far beyond the NBA. He shows up at global sporting events, partners with international brands, and puts his brand and image in places beyond what a baller would reach..
Shaquille O’Neal is still there. Years after his playing days, he still makes good use of the platform he’s built. And the world is benefitting from his involvement, whether that be more mileage, better reputation, or just the simple conversations with the big man.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
