Shaquille O’Neal was a standout football player, playing tight end in his high school days, before ultimately deciding to focus on basketball and become a four-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP during his storied career.
However, as he appeared in Baton Rouge for the Texas A&M vs. LSU clash in Week 9, the question arose as to whether he ever suited up for the Tigers on the football field.
What Made Shaquille O’Neal Decide On Playing Basketball Instead Of Football?
Shaquille O’Neal was a guest on the “Dan Patrick Show” on November 23, 2015, when he and host Dan Patrick discussed his experience as a multi-sport talent. The big man was almost seven feet tall when he played basketball and football at the same time at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, Texas.
O’Neal told Patrick that he was a standout tight end with “wonderful and impeccable” hands during his senior year when he learned about the story of backup center Jon Koncak.
Koncak, a top-five pick in the 1985 NBA draft, signed a six-year, $ 13 million extension with the Atlanta Hawks in 1989. The 7’0″ center was only averaging 4.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game the prior season when he was given that deal during the 1989 offseason.
The contract extension Koncak signed caused quite a stir in the basketball circles; he was dubbed “Jon Contract” the rest of his life.
“I was a hell of a tight end. As you know, I have wonderful hands, my hands are impeccable, and I like to punish people,” O’Neal told Patrick. But then a guy your size hit me in my knee one day, I was all bummed out, and my dream came true.”
“I was sitting on the couch, and Jon Koncak signs for $15 million for three years. I was thinking, ‘If I can make $5 million doing the basketball thing, I think I am going to switch up now … true story,” he added.
The infamous deal shifted O’Neal’s focus to basketball, where he used his physicality to dominate the sport. He averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 4.6 blocks when he was at LSU from 1989 to 92. Those stats made him the No. 1 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft.
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The “Big Diesel” had an illustrious 20-season career in the NBA, playing for the Magic, LA Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston. He was adjudged the MVP in the 1999-2000 season and won four titles.
Now retired, O’Neal is still a significant presence on and off the screen as he works as an analyst for Inside the NBA on ESPN with Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson as host, with former players Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith serving as co-analysts.
He also owns numerous businesses, including a burger joint, a pretzel restaurant, car washes, fitness centers, a movie theater, and nightclubs.
During his spare time, O’Neal watches football live at various stadiums. He was seen lining up to the seat to watch the LSU-Texas A&M game on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
His alma mater is No. 20 in the AP rankings with a 5-2 record (2-2 in SEC), and a win against No. 3 Texas A&M (7-0, 4-0 in SEC) would boost their College Football Playoff hopes, as the Tigers approach the final third of their 2025 season schedule.