Shaquille O’Neal is never full. While he was legendary on the court, the 15-time All-Star didn’t let it stop him from branching out. He has carved out an interesting path in Hollywood as well. From his role as a college basketball star in Blue Chips to the role of a genie in Kazaam, he has taken on a variety of roles as an actor. While his films didn’t always shine at the box office, they cemented his place in pop culture. His venture into DC’s Steel (1997) was an attempt to bring a comic book character to life, even though the movie’s reception was less than stellar. Still, Shaq’s larger-than-life persona helped him become a recognizable figure, both on and off the court. And now he is here again, lending a hand to a childhood character that gave him the idea to be one.
Recently, the new Superman movie has been making waves. Fans have already started to look forward to the major trailer release. Moreover, there are various hints that the trailer might be dropping on Superman Day, which falls on April 18th! This marks a key moment in the DC Universe as the film is expected to introduce a fresh direction for the iconic superhero. As the angle they are going to go with the movie is still under wraps, the trailer will be something the fans, the universe will be anticipating. And here’s when Shaq has stepped in to lend a helping hand to the $7 billion franchise.
Recently, the official Superman Instagram account shared a video featuring Shaquille O’Neal. In the video, Shaq looked back on how Superman has inspired him throughout his life. He recalled, “I can remember watching Superman 1, and this is the scene that made me feel like I’m Superman.” He went on to explain that, after seeing the iconic moment, he actually believed he could outrun a train. “On the way home, I saw a train come around, and I was like, I ran, and I beat the train. Not really, but in my mind.” His excitement was infectious, giving the promo a personal and nostalgic feel.
But even superheroes have their weaknesses, and Shaq wasn’t shy about admitting his. When asked about his kryptonite, he joked, “My kryptonite is free throws.” For Shaq the Superman, his flaw was at the free-throw line. The Instagram post playfully read, “All we’re saying is you never see Superman doing free throws.” It was refreshing to see him accepting his flaws. Fans still remember the time back in 2000 when he missed 11 free throws in a single game!
Shaquille O’Neal once recalled his biggest NBA regret
Shaquille O’Neal is a name that immediately comes to mind when you think of basketball greatness. With his 7-foot-1-inch towering presence, he could just bulldoze his way through the defense. Moreover, he’s often regarded as one of the best to ever play the game. But, surprisingly, Shaq has one regret he can’t shake off. He could not successfully hit free throws in real life, and it wasn’t just limited to the Superman promo on IG.
On a December night in 2000, the Lakers hosted the Seattle SuperSonics in what would become one of Shaquille O’Neal’s most talked-about games — not for his dominance, but for his struggles at the free-throw line. Shaq went 0-for-11 from the stripe, setting a record for most attempts without a single make. Eleven times he toed the stripe, and eleven times the basketball gods denied him. It was less a shooting clinic and more an avant-garde performance piece titled “Gravity Wins Again.” Free throws were always his Achilles’ heel — a chink in the armor of a nearly unstoppable force. It didn’t stop there.
Back in 2023, during a media interaction in Abu Dhabi, when asked about his career regrets, O’Neal didn’t hesitate. “If I had to pick one (regret)? I missed too many free throws. Nothing other than that, I did it my way.” It’s hard to believe, right? A player who dominated the game in so many ways is focused on those missed shots at the line. But, isn’t that what makes O’Neal so relatable? Even the greatest have their moments of self-reflection.
Shaq’s honesty about his regret is a reminder that perfection is a tough target, even for someone as legendary as him. He could have easily brushed it off, but instead, he owned it. Still, his confidence in doing it “my way” shows just how much he’s embraced his journey, flaws and all. So, doesn’t that make you wonder? Maybe we should all embrace our imperfections a little more.
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