Shaquille O’Neal has made quite the career for himself.
From being an NBA legend on and off the court, to acting, and just being an all around great media personality, it’s easy to see how he made his rise to being one of the most well-known celebrities in the world.
However, it turns out Shaq is not a fan of the “celebrity” title.
The man had this to say in an interview with the New York Post:
“These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don’t want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I’m done with it.”
“I don’t want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don’t call me that anymore.
These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That’s never been me. I never want to be looked at like that.”
Atta boy Shaq.
Everybody knows that he’s just one of the boys, and it turns out, that’s exactly the way he wants it to be.
You gotta respect somebody who’d rather be known for the good deeds they do out of the kindness of their heart instead of their net worth.
He made it obvious by paying off a random person’s engagement ring a while back, and he also recently called out NBA players who needed time to rest, saying that fans in the real world bust their asses just to put food on the table.
He backed up his statement by saying:
“All my life, everyone probably gets stereotyped, but us celebrities, we get stereotyped because most of these celebrities are out of their mind. I don’t do that. I’m a regular person that listened, followed his dreams and made it.
I came from nothing. But, just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you, smarter than you– just because I have more money doesn’t mean I’m better than you. I’ve never been that way and I never will be that way. So I don’t want to be in that category of people.
When they talk about Shaq, what do you say? ‘He’s a nice guy.’ Because what else can you be? You’re either nice or you’re the A-word, and I definitely won’t be looked at as the A-word.”
So there you have it… don’t you DARE call Shaq a “celebrity.”
He’s done.
Keep doin’ you my guy.
