Shaquille O’Neal Says COVID-19 Vaccines Should Not Be Forced

Former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal has spoken explicitly about the importance of players and athletes getting the COVID-19 vaccination over the last five months. However, on Thursday, the four-time NBA champion expressed a change of heart toward vaccine mandates.

While he is not against the vaccine, O’Neal spoke with Entertainment Tonight’s Nischelle Turner on The Big Podcast with Shaq stating that people should not have to choose between keeping their job and getting vaccinated.

“Look, I encourage everybody to be safe and take care of your family, I do,” O’Neal said. “But there’s still some people that don’t wanna take it. And you shouldn’t have to be forced to take something you don’t want.”

Turner stated that her employer, CBS, has a vaccine mandate among workers. O’Neal added: “That's forced.”

In disagreeing with Turner, O’Neal doubled down on his stance.

“It is forced. Because if the man don't take it, the man gonna get fired,” he said.