Shaq Threatens to Punch RGIII Over His Angel Reese Post: 'I'm Gonna Punch You in Your Fucking Face'

Gregg DeGuire. Getty Images.

You know how every so often an armed conflict breaks out somewhere in the world? Which logic would tell you it has to be an incredibly complex set of circumstances over many years for anyone to take the bold and consequential step of going to war over it? And yet, in an instant, it seems like everyone declares themselves to be an expert on the history of it? Even though 95% of the time it turns out that the person educating you about it couldn't find either country on a globe five minutes ago? 

Well that's not going to happen in this case. I'll readily admit I know nothing about the skirmish that just broke out between two former athletes, each with high profiles in sports media. All I know is hostilities broke out over yet another high profile athlete.

Fox News -  Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal went after former NFL star Robert Griffin III over the ex-quarterback’s remarks about Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.

O’Neal appeared to be upset over Griffin coming to the defense of Reese as he reshared a racist picture depicting her as a monkey on the cover of a video game. In the same post, Griffin wrote that he was told by someone from her "inner circle" that Reese hates Caitlin Clark.

The odd post caught the attention of the sports world last week. O’Neal made his comments about it on the "Off the Record" podcast. His appearance hit the internet on Tuesday.

"RG3, tweet another monkey post about my girl Angel Reese and I’m gonna punch you in your f---ing face," O’Neal said. "It’s enough. I don’t usually do stuff like this, but just stop it bro," O’Neal said. "You got your job, you got your podcast. Leave my Angel Reese alone. I’m the one calling her and telling her not to respond. F---ing stop it. That’s the last time.

"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. It’s a shame that all the stuff that you did in your life, you’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. You’re gonna be remembered for your podcast. That should tell you you’re not that f---ing great. I don’t want to be remembered for Shaq’s ‘Big Podcast.’ I do not."

O’Neal said he’s been talking to Reese and imploring her not to respond. He added that Griffin should leave WNBA players alone and stick to his own sport. …

[Griffin] wrote several paragraphs on social media, first coming to the defense of Reese after a racist image of her NBA 2K26 appeared. He said there was "no place for racism in the world. …

"That will never be OK with me. I never attacked her or her family when I stated and backed up with clear basketball evidence that Angel Reese hates Caitlin Clark. It’s sports. Everybody won’t like each other," he added. "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. …

Reese appeared to respond to Griffin’s remarks in a separate post.

"lying on this app when everybody know the first and last name of everybody in my circle for clout is nastyyyy work," she wrote.

Reese’s mom also claimed Griffin was lying about talking with the basketball player’s inner circle."

"Whomever U  say "called" U  is not in her circle 2  speak on her feelings towards a media/fandom made up beef," she wrote. "Just stay on that side bc the doors are closed over here."

And RGIII responded:

… around. I have zero interest in being the villain in anyone’s story. I just want to have fun, tell the truth and celebrate sports. But I won’t pretend or lie just to protect feelings. 

Good grief. This thing went thermonuclear in no time at all. But again, like with other hot wars raging on the other side of the world, it didn't just flare up in a day. Or a matter of weeks. Fighting this intense can only break out when tensions have been simmering for years. Where it all started, your guess is as good as mine. I'll be the first to raise my hand and say I lack the knowledge to speak intelligently about it. I have no nuanced opinion for or against either side. 

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You might argue that since both Shaq and RGIII clearly agree that racist depictions of anyone are straight-up evil and deserved to be denounced, that they'd find common ground here. That this basic fact alone would be a good start to negotiating a cease fire. And that maybe even peace would break out. But unfortunately, it doesn't sound like there's a political solution. Not when the hatred is this raw. As Carl von Clausewitz famously put it, "War is the continuation of politics by other means."

I will just say this though. Whichever side you're on here, RGIII has to understand he's engaging in asymmetric warfare. Anyone who watched Shaq play 19 years, make 14 All NBA teams, win two scoring titles and four titles while constantly getting attacked from all directions like Bruce Lee and setting a record for fouling out opponents that will never be broken, should never do battle with this man. If Shaquille O'Neal wants to punch you the face, no force on Earth will protect your face from a good punching. Assuming Griffin has an instinct for self-preservation, the wise move is to de-escalate the situation. To make O'Neal disinsterested in punching your face, by any means necessary. 

If I were advising Griffin, I'd recommend he take Shaq's advice:

But I'm afraid this is a war that's only just beginning. Thoughts and prayers to RGIII.