Skip to content

Shaq: 'I would never do' what Kaepernick did

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Current NBA players like Jabari Parker and Nick Young have openly declared their support for NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his refusal to stand for the American national anthem due to the racial conflict that's currently going on in the country.

Related: Steph Curry applauds Kaepernick for standing up for his beliefs

Even all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has sided with the San Francisco 49er, saying we should admire Kaepernick for his patriotism.

Shaquille O'Neal, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, has a different perspective on the matter.

"I mean to each his own, something I wouldn't do," the four-time champion said during an appearance on Fox News Channel's Fox and Friends on Wednesday, according to NOLA.com's John Reid. "I don't really have a say on it but I would never do that. My father was a military man and he protected this country - uncles are in law enforcement, they go out and work hard every day. Just, you know, there are other ways to get your point across.''

If anything, "The Big Aristotle" wonders why Kaepernick hasn't been heard from until now when it comes to controversial political and social matters.

Related: Kaepernick No.1 in NFL jersey sales, will donate all proceeds to charity

"Again, my thing is, you have to enter onto the scene one way," he added. ''People like Muhammad Ali and Bill Russell, they were one way their whole career. You can't show us something and then go to another just because of certain issues.

''I'm aware of all the issues, but my question is how come he didn't do it last year or how come you didn't do it when you first entered the NFL? Again, I don't know Colin, to each his own, it's his constitutional right to do that but I would never do that."

Inducting O'Neal into the Hall of Fame will be legends Julius Erving, Alonzo Mourning, Isiah Thomas, and Bill Russell.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox