When the Dallas Cowboys made it into the NFL playoffs, many big names came out for their support. One man who was right behind his team was Shaquille O’Neal. The long-time Cowboys fanatic was even calling for his side during the Super Bowl. The reason behind him being a fan of the Cowboys dates back to his childhood days. In a recent interview, the Big Diesel revealed he always wanted to be a football player. However, when his father took him to an NBA game, one fact changed his entire perspective.

If you know Shaq, you know his obsession with being successful. Don’t get it wrong, the four-time champion was a ruthless competitor. But coming from humble beginnings, money was a huge motivating factor for Shaq. The Los Angeles Lakers great made over $180 million in salaries alone. Today, he has grown into a business tycoon well worth over $400 million.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant
Lakers Kobe Bryant bumps chests with Shaquille O’Neal after O’Neal got fouled scoring in the first half during the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center Sunday April 21, 2002.Trailblazer Damon Stoudamire looks on from the left. Lakers won 95–87. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Recently, Shaquille O’Neal sat down as a guest on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast. During the discussions, he opened up about his childhood dream being playing football. But that all changed when he found out the money he can make by playing in the NBA.

How one NBA game drove Shaquille O’Neal to give up on his dream

While on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast, Shaq spoke about not belittling the likes of Rudy Gobert. According to him, it is just a way of him trying to educate the coming generation. Shockingly enough, the 2000 MVP himself was influenced into the sport of basketball due to the money.

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The 51-year-old spoke about being a football guy all his childhood. As a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, he wanted to be a taller version of Joe Jones. His dream didn’t change until his father took him to watch an NBA game. There he would do a little research on Atlanta Hawks backup center John Koncak. This is when he would find out about the new deal he signed, a six-year $13 million deal. That was enough for him to abandon his dream of being an NFL tight end.

Shaquille O’Neal told the NFL hosts, “I was football, I was tight end. I was just like you. Then John Koncak he was making 15 for three. My father dragged me to the game.” Shaq further said,  “This motherf***er making $5 million? I can do that. that’s how I got in. That’s how I started playing basketball.” 

From there the story of utter domination began. Shaquille O’Neal surpassed Koncak within a few games in the NBA. He dominated his way through college and became one of the most feared centers on the planet. His large frame and quick pace made him a weapon. Shaq reshaped the entire landscape during the big man era.

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So the next time he talks about Rudy Gobert, it is only Shaq’s way of taking care of the coming generation. How do you think the Big Diesel would have done as a tight end? Let us know your views in the comments below.

The post “This Motherf***er Making $5,000,000?”: Shaquille O’Neal Wanted to Play in the NFL Until His Father “Dragged Him” to an NBA Game That Changed His Life appeared first on EssentiallySports.



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