Shaquille O’Neal sparked concerns on Sunday after posting a photo of himself from a hospital bed on social media. At the time, the basketball legend did not reveal the reason behind his hospitalization, leaving fans concerned.
It has now been revealed that the 51 year old former player underwent hip replacement surgery. He is reportedly fine and is recovering. Shaquille O’Neal, fondly known as Shaq, will remain absent from his show NBA on TNT for a few days.
Shaquille O’Neal Undergoes Hip Replacement Surgery
On Sunday, Shaq shared a special message for his NBA on TNT colleagues on Twitter. He posted a picture of himself in a hospital bed and wrote, “I’m always watching @TurnerSportsEJ and @Candace_Parker miss y’all.” Parker, who is a two-time WNBA champion himself, replied, “Love ya big Fella ♥.”
It now remains to be seen when Shaq returns to his hit sports show. However, he had earlier hinted that he could be back in action by April 16. On an episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the former player had said, “I’ll be back April 16, and I’m going in.”
i’m always watching @TurnerSportsEJ and @Candace_Parker miss y’all pic.twitter.com/4tY4X6v1Pj
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) March 19, 2023
A number of friends and fans have sent their wishes to the four-time NBA champion. “Get well soon big fella!! Prayers going up now,” wrote Greg Warmoth. A fan tweeted, “Had no clue you were in hospital. Get well.”
Jeannine Edwards also replied, “Feel better my friend! I just had my hip replaced 1 month ago. Back in the gym for 2 weeks…. full steam ahead!” Another fan wrote, “Okay, for everyone that is worried about Shaq, he is getting a new hip. Get well big guy and rest.”
O’Neal is Currently on a Weight-Loss Journey
The sports analyst recently made news for his inspirational weight-loss journey. On his podcast, he revealed that he would get back to the gym and his diet after the surgery and would eventually build 8-pack abs.
“I’m going to try and lose 30 pounds, and I’m going to try and get an eight-pack. Right now, I got a little five-pack,” he said, adding that he would be following a ‘five BS meals and one meal’ diet, which includes ‘a shake for breakfast, a fruit plate, four chicken breasts with ketchup, a salad; and a shake,’
In October last year, Shaq opened up about how he lost 36 pounds in a few months: “I like to create crazy motivation. I was looking at myself, and I had that Charles Barkley retirement body. 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.”
The Basketball Legend Celebrated his 51st Birthday This Month
Shaq celebrated his 51st birthday on March 6 at The Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. He was seen at a Sneaker Ball birthday bash wearing a rose-printed white suit with a black hat and diamond chains. However, age is just a number to the former player as he is eyeing to ‘become a sex symbol.’
“I was 401 pounds. Now I’m 365. I’m trying to take it back to 345. I want to have muscles everywhere, and I want to do an underwear ad with my sons [for] Fruit of the Loom, baby. I want to become a sex symbol,” he had revealed in an interview.
We wish a speedy recovery to Shaquille O’Neal! Stay tuned for more news and updates.
