NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently issued a fiery warning to former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III over his remarks and social media actions concerning WNBA star Angel Reese. In an appearance on the Off The Record podcast with Bailey Jackson, O’Neal made his position abundantly clear.
Shaq, who calls Reese his “girl” and considers himself a mentor since their LSU days, voiced fierce disapproval. “Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m gonna punch you in your f**king face,” he declared. “It’s enough. I don’t usually do stuff like this, but stop it, bro.”
The host probed, asking why Shaq felt compelled to intervene. He responded bluntly: “You got your job, you got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone.” O’Neal emphasized he’s the one advising Reese to stay above the fray. “I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F**king stop it. That’s the last time.”
He went on to critique RGIII’s involvement in a rivalry not his own. “If you look around what’s going on in this real country, that’s hate. This is sports. I’m not supposed to like you.” He said RGIII lacks the “G14 classification” to discuss a WNBA star. “I would respect it more if Lisa Leslie said it … stay out of their category.”
RGIII’s Original Remarks
Earlier this month, RGIII shared a post addressing a racist edited image of Reese on the NBA 2K26 WNBA cover. Though his intention was to denounce the racism, the repost elevated the image’s reach. He also claimed that sources close to Reese said she “hates” rival Caitlin Clark. “People in Angel’s inner circle called me and told me I was right,” he wrote.
Reese rebuked him in a pointed post on X:
“Lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.”
Her mother supported the message, challenging RGIII’s alleged sources. “Whomever U say ‘called’ U is not in her circle … the doors are closed over here.”
The clash ignites deeper questions about media figures commenting on women’s sports and race. Shaq underscored that harassing描 Black female athletes crosses a line. “Leave those girls alone,” he warned RGIII. “Let it go.”
Reese, a back-to-back WNBA All‑Star, has faced racist backlash before. Analysts have noted such abuse has affected players’ mental health.
Shaq’s intervention channels both his protective instincts and stature. He said, “Now pick on me. If you pick on me, I’m gonna punch you in your f**king face.”