Shaquille O’Neal is getting candid with the public about his past relationships and taking accountability for his role in their failures.
The dad of six, who is inarguably one of the greatest players in the NBA world, remains the athlete with one of the most passionate fan bases in sports and entertainment, and it appears his supporters love him mainly for his larger-than-life personality.
While he has done well career-wise and can boast of several accolades, including bagging the 1999-2000 MVP award, the 1992-93 NBA Rookie of the Year award, 155 All-Star game selections, three Finals MVP awards, and many more — he still has some regret over actions carried out in personal life during his younger years.
Shaquille O’Neal Feels Remorseful For His Frivolousness With Certain Exes
In a new interview with Monica Denise on her show “Mo Talk Radio,” the former basketball star opened up about how he messed up some important relationships with two former lovers he described as “perfect.”
Looking comfortable wearing a camouflage hoodie, a T-shirt, and a black beanie, he explained, “I had two perfect women, and I messed it up. My first one was my baby mother, Arnetta [Yardbourgh], and then I met Shaunie [Nelson]. Shaunie was also a perfect woman, and I messed it up.”
He continued, “Yeah, you know, we were young and always just doing d*mb stuff. But, you know, the good thing about our relationship is that they forgave me and we have a good relationship now. But when you ask me about the perfect woman, I had two perfect women and I messed it up. Just, by, you know, being d*mb.”
The EDM producer further disclosed how he groomed his sons to know their responsibilities as men. He stated, “I tell my sons all the time: ‘A man has three jobs when it comes to a woman. Protect, provide, and love. Some men can only offer two, for whatever reason, but I’ma teach you how to offer all three.’ and that’s what I try to do.
Even though I don’t have a relationship with the women that I let get away, I will always PPL: protect, provide, and love. Whatever they need, they get it from me.”
Mentioning his ex-wife again who he wedded in 2002 and was together with for seven years, he remarked, “Shaunie’s married, I’m happy for her. I hope this gentleman treats her the way she’s supposed to be treated, and I’ma still love her. She’s still my wife.”
Reiterating his statement, he concluded, “I will always protect, provide, and love her, married or not. No, it’s just how I was raised. You protect, you provide, and you love your woman.” Fans of the former basketball player trooped into the comments section to throw in their support for the star.
One wrote, “He said married or not, I GOT HER 💯❤️.” Another clarified, “She is not still your wife lol but respect on making sure she’s straight.” A third fan added, “‘Men’ don’t miss this 👈. Notice what’s going on here. He said he lost two good ones. Good women are hard to find. He has 400 million & he’s still not happy. Soo if you find a good one cherish her. Ijs 🤷”
Another wrote, “If only most men could think like this”! “She has his kids. She always will be in his life. Stop trying to make something out of nothing. I respect him 💯,” expressed a female fan.
Addressing the reason why his marriage ended with his former partner during an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast in 2022, he disclosed that he was the cause of the split. The successful entrepreneur felt guilty and blamed himself for losing his ex-wife because of the responsibilities he failed to fulfill as a husband.
He stated, “I’m glad you guys asked because I don’t mind talking about this, but I was bad. She was awesome. She really was. It was all me.”
Without revealing too much information, he continued, “We don’t need to talk about what I was doing, but I wasn’t protecting her and protecting those vows. Sometimes you live that double life and get caught up. I’m not going to say it was her. It was all me.”
O’Neal added that his misguided acts during his marriage to Shaunie created a lasting impression that no amount of regret could undo the hurt she experienced during their time together.
Shaunie Gave Love A Second Chance After Walking Down The Aisle Again
While the basketball star has remained unmarried since getting divorced, his former spouse proceeded to find love with the man of her dreams. Per The Blast Shaunie said “I do” for the second time to her partner, pastor Keion Henderson, on May 28, 2022, in a lavish ceremony that was held to celebrate their union.
Taking to her Instagram to share the news of her nuptials with her followers, she uploaded a photo of herself and her man, holding hands and being a cute couple.
In the snap, the lovebirds were captured walking on a pathway where the trees and sunset glistened in the background. Sweetly captioning her post, she wrote, “The Henderson Way.”