Following in Shaquille O’Neal’s ‘Respectful Cheating’ Precedent, Dwight Howard Confesses to Being ‘Kindly Disloyal’: “Never Mistreated a Woman”

During a recent appearance on the “Way Up with Angela Yee,” Dwight Howard spoke about a range of personal issues. This included his take on relationships and cheating. Howard was asked about his take on what constitutes cheating in a relationship. Dwight’s answer was eerily like Shaquille O’Neal’s take, which was revealed in his book Shaq Uncut. Shaq had confessed multiple times that he cheated “respectfully” on his ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal.

Ironically, Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal had a long-standing beef during their playing days, according to Basketball Network. Despite the differences, the two had a very similar take on cheating in relationships.

Dwight Howard has a similar take on cheating as Shaquille O’Neal

Dwight Howard married WNBA star Te’a Cooper in 2019, but the couple separated in 2021. He has previously admitted to cheating on his ex-partner multiple times, according to CBS.

Speaking on the podcast, Howard claimed that he has not disrespected any woman in his life, despite having cheated in the past. The Taoyuan Leopards star said that he always had an understanding with his partner, except when he was younger:

“I am pretty sure they would. But I have never in my life, mistreated a woman. I have. When I say mistreat, if we are in a relationship, then we have an understanding of what would happen in the relationship. But I have been in situations at a young age that I didn’t clarify, I wasn’t as honest as I should have been. A lot of times if you are honest with people, they get upset. You tell them the truth, and it messes up the whole relationship.”

O’Neal had said something similar about his relationship with Shaunie O’Neal. He claimed that none of the cheating incidents were disrespectful:

“At one time my ex-wife Shaunie and I were happy. But I admit it — I was a guy. I was a guy with too many options. Choosing to be with some of those women, well, that’s on me. In my mind, I never did it disrespectfully, but obviously I shouldn’t have done it all.”

Howard was told during the podcast that cheating might “constitute mistreating.” A similar response could have been made to Shaquille O’Neal’s claim, who said that his cheating incidents were also not disrespectful towards his ex-wife.

O’Neal has constantly criticized Dwight Howard in recent years

O’Neal and Howard’s beef has continued since their playing days in the NBA. Recently, Shaq went on a rant against Howard’s Taoyuan Leopards. He claimed Howard should be averaging 30 points per game, and mocked the team for their losing record.

Shaq claimed that he himself would never lose to anyone in Taiwan, speaking on the Big Podcast. The rant came just months after Howard had pleaded with Shaq to squash their beef.

Speaking on FanDuel, Dwight said that both of them had grown up and didn’t need to continue beefing with each other. The message was obviously not received by Shaq, who has continued his criticism of his fellow former Laker.