Despite Cheating On Shaunie O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal Expresses Gratitude Over Shareef and His Children Calling Him ‘Daddy’

Shaquille O’Neal making his departure from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers inadvertently gave him everything that he needed in life both on and off the court. When it comes to the NBA hardwood side of things, he won 3 championships in LA and cemented himself within the pantheon of NBA bigs. 

Off the court, it would be in Los Angeles where he would meet his future wife, Shaunie O’Neal. They would date for a multitude of years before finally marrying one another in 2002. What seemed like a happy marriage on red carpet and to the media, was unfortunately one that was marred with problems. 

Shaq has since taken the blame for why him and Shaunie got divorced in 2007, admitting to having had a variety of extramarital relationships. ‘Too many options’ was his reasoning behind it all and now, in his new ‘SHAQ’ docuseries, he seems to be owning up to it more than ever before.

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Shaquille O’Neal feels happy about the fact that his children still call him ‘daddy’ 

Aside from not being all too great of a husband to Shaunie, Shaq admits to having not been a great father to the children he had with Shaunie. Shareef, Shaqir, and the rest grew up knowing they had a father who continually cheated on their mother. 

In the HBO Max docuseries however, Shaquille O’Neal expresses just how grateful he is of the fact that his children, after everything he put them through, still show him love and affection. 

“One thing I think they do appreciate is how hard I work for them. It’s a blessing. I know people that don’t have a relationship with their kids. As crazy and as bad as I was, for them to still love me, call me daddy- I’m nothing but blessed. That’s why I’ll never complain,” said Shaq. 

Shaq’s children have also built up a great relationship with Shaunie’s current husband 

Shaunie O’Neal recently got married to Keion Henderson. Integrating another father figure into the family fold is never an easy task but Keion seems to have already built a solid connection with her children. 

Shaunie even revealed how each of her children are on a group text with him and that they actually love spending time with him. For their wedding, they would even send out an invitation to Shaquille O’Neal himself.

Also read: “The Threat of Physical Violence Always Worked”: 7FT 1” Shaquille O’Neal Revealed How He Dealt With Nonchalant Teammates