Shaquille O'Neal vs Robert Griffin III 'NBA 2K26 cover' feud over Angel Reese explained
legend Shaquille O'Neal has issued a fiery warning to former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, publicly threatening him over his ongoing commentary about WNBA star Angel Reese.
The exchange has thrown fuel on an already heated situation, with O'Neal going on record during a podcast appearance to say: 'Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face.' As public tensions mount, this clash has become one of the most talked-about flashpoints in sports media.
Shaquille O'Neal threatens Robert Griffin III over Angel Reese criticism
Shaquille O'Neal, a Hall of Famer and longtime mentor to Angel Reese, delivered a blunt message to Robert Griffin III during an appearance on Bailey Jackson's Off the Record podcast.
'RG3? Tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face. It's enough. I don't usually do stuff like this, but just stop it, bro. You got your job, you got your podcast... Leave my Angel Reese alone.'
Shaq, who shares an alma mater with Reese in LSU, continued: 'I'm the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F***ing stop it. That's the last time. OK? Thank you.'
The NBA legend added, 'It's not real hate.
If you look around at what's going on in this real country, that's hate. This is sports. I'm not supposed to like you!' Shaq called Griffin a 'fool' and warned, 'Now pick on me. You pick on me, I'm going to punch you in your f***ing face.'
What did Robert Griffin III say about Angel Reese?
Former NFL star Griffin ignited controversy by reposting a racist, photoshopped NBA 2K26 cover featuring Reese, where someone replaced her image with a monkey. Though Griffin claimed he was condemning racism, the act of reposting the offensive image amplified its reach.
He didn't stop there. Griffin also alleged that Reese 'hates' Caitlin Clark and said her inner circle had confirmed that to him.
'People in Angel's inner circle called me and told me I was right and Angel Reese has grown to hate Caitlin Clark because of the media always asking her about Caitlin and being constantly compared to her. Some people made it about race, but I never did and never will. Instead of becoming the villain in anyone's story, I decided to just not,' he wrote on X in a lengthy post caption of the monkey-faced image repost.
Despite the backlash, Griffin doubled down. He wrote: 'Angel Reese should never be called or depicted as a Monkey.' He added that Reese had shared a video that led to threats against his family: 'That will never be okay with me. I never attacked her or her family… I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports.'
Still, Shaq wasn't having any of it, stating flatly, 'Leave those girls alone… I hate you now for messing with her.'
Angel Reese's response to Robert Griffin III criticism
Reese has largely avoided direct confrontation, but her indirect posts were cutting.
Reese swiftly clapped back on X, saying, 'Lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work.'
Her mother also stepped in, tweeting, 'Whomever U say 'called' U is not in her circle 2 speak on her feelings.'
Reese's restraint hasn't gone unnoticed. O'Neal explained, 'She's not soft, by any means. She's from the streets. But I'm like, 'You're beautiful, don't indulge with these fools.''
Also Read:
Chicago Sky's iconic player Angel Reese creates WNBA history with new franchise milestone
Reese, now in her second WNBA season, faces the pressure of public attention that remains intense. Fortunately, she has voices like O'Neal's standing firm in her defense.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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