Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal caused concern among fans on Sunday night when he shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Twitter. On Monday, TMZ reported O’Neal had undergone surgery for a nagging hip injury.
O’Neal, who did not give any details about his hospital stay, sent a message to his fellow “NBA on TNT” co-hosts, Ernie Johnson and Candace Parker. Parker responded to the post, saying “Love ya big Fella.”
i’m always watching @TurnerSportsEJ and @Candace_Parker miss y’all pic.twitter.com/4tY4X6v1Pj
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) March 19, 2023
The photo has since gone viral, with over 6.5 million views and 34,000 likes as of Monday. Fans have also taken to Twitter to ask questions about O’Neal’s health, while many others have sent well wishes and supportive messages.
This comes just days after O’Neal was seen at the Big 12 basketball tournament championship game between the Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks at T-Mobile Center. O’Neal was photographed shaking hands with veteran broadcaster Dick Vitale at the scorer’s table.
O’Neal celebrated his 51st birthday last month with a “Sneaker Ball” birthday bash at The Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, where he wore a rose-printed suit jacket and diamond chains.
Earlier this month, O’Neal spoke about his recent weight loss transformation, which he attributes to his former “NBA on TNT” co-host, Charles Barkley. O’Neal said he was motivated to slim down after seeing himself with a “Charles Barkley retirement body.”
O’Neal said he went from 401 pounds to 365 pounds and is trying to take it back to 345 pounds. He even said he wanted to do an underwear ad with his sons for Fruit of the Loom.
The Basketball Hall of Famer also said he began taking his health more seriously after a doctor’s visit revealed he had sleep apnea.
“I didn’t want my stomach to be over the belt anymore. So I was just like, ‘Let me go ahead and get slim.’ After that [picture] went viral, now I’ve got to live up to it.”
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No further details have been given about O’Neal’s health, though fans and friends alike are wishing him a speedy recovery.
