As Jason Kelce continues to contemplate the idea of retiring from the NFL, basketball legend Shaq gives the Philadelphia Eagles center some helpful advice about how to approach the situation.
While on The Big Podcast With Shaq, Shaq stated the one thing that Kelce needs to do when he retires. “My advice to you if you are going to retire: Accept it, enjoy your family, brother,” he said. “I made a lot of dumbass mistakes to where I lost my family and I didn’t have anybody.”
However, Shaq told Jason Kelce that it wasn’t the same case for him. “So enjoy your beautiful wife, enjoy your beautiful kids,” Shaq continued. “And never dwell on what we had. What we had is what we got. You got the ring, people know who you are. Enjoy, because again, I was an idiot, and I’ve talked about it a long time. I lost my whole family. I’m in a 100,000-square-foot house by myself.”
Shaq spoke to Page Six about his discussion with Jason Kelce and why it was important for him to focus on family. “I just told him to enjoy his family,” he said. “Don’t be an idiot like me. I made a lot of dumb mistakes and lost my family, so I just told him to enjoy his beautiful wife [Kylie Kelce], enjoy his kids, and just, you know, be happy.”
Before Telling Jason Kelce to Focus on Family, Shaq Blamed Himself For His Failed Marriage
Shaq retired from the NBA in 2011 after more than 20 years. He married Shaunie Nelson in Dec. 2002 and had four children with her. Nearly 10 years into the marriage, Shaq and Nelson divorced. The divorce was finalized in 2011. Shaq continues to blame him for the failed marriage and has stated he made mistakes, including being “greedy.”
“I was bad,” Shaq said during an episode of The Pivot Podcast in 2022. “She was awesome. She really was. It was all me.”
Although he didn’t reveal what he was doing wrong in the relationship, Shaq said he didn’t protect Shaunie and the vows he made to her. “Sometimes when you live that double life, you get caught up. I’m not going to say it was her. It was all me.”
Shaq further revealed that after he and Shaunie separated in 2009, he felt lost. “I was just being greedy,” he continued. “I had the perfect situation. My wife was finer than a mug, kept giving me babies, still finer than a mug. I had it all, and I don’t make excuses — I know I messed up.”