Shaquille O’Neal issues warning over Angel Reese and sparks media firestorm

Shaquille O’Neal’s week began with memes and ended in a media frenzy. The once-gentle giant and former face of NBA dominance is now making headlines for very different reasons—on one side, a public clash with Robert Griffin III, and on the other, a verbal barrage from Dan Dakich.

It all exploded after a post by Griffin, the former NFL quarterback and now talk show host. He shared a meme showing Angel Reese dressed as a monkey. According to him, the post was meant to criticize the racism Reese continues to face. But the attempt didn’t sit well with many—including Shaquille O’Neal, who jumped in aggressively to defend Reese.

“If you post something disrespectful about my girl Angel Reese again, I’ll punch you in the face,” Shaquille O’Neal warned, visibly angry at what he viewed as a thinly veiled attack. In his public defense, Shaquille O’Neal even admitted to personally asking Reese not to respond to the controversy in order to avoid unnecessary escalation.

Crossfire and controversy

But if Shaquille O’Neal thought his message would end the conversation, he was mistaken. Dan Dakich—former college coach and now podcast host on OutKick—entered the ring with equally inflammatory statements.

Not only did Dakich defend Griffin, but according to Marca, he went on to call Shaquille O’Neal “an insecure baby” and “a big idiot.” He even mocked his weight during the live podcast, saying, “Shaq is full of shit,” and suggested that the former NBA star’s threats were nothing but hollow theatrics.

Shaq needs to shut up because he isn’t gonna do anything to RGIII@dandakich pic.twitter.com/Dqz0wTib93

— OutKick (@Outkick) July 17, 2025

This clash isn’t minor. In an era where athletes speak out more than ever in social debates, what began as a meme has become a battleground for discussions on racism, respect, and online responsibility.

Shaquille O’Neal, a historically dominant figure both on and off the hardwood, now faces a different kind of challenge—how to uphold his role as a protector without becoming an easy target in the age of open microphones and hot takes.

So far, neither Griffin nor Reese has responded publicly to Dakich’s comments. But the story is still unfolding. With Shaquille O’Neal in full protective mode and media outlets fired up. This confrontation doesn’t seem likely to fade any time soon.