Posted on 02/07/2022 7:34:19 AM PST by yesthatjallen
Add gorillas to the list of creatures intimidated by Shaquille O'Neal.
During a recent episode of "The Big Podcast with Shaq," the former NBA big man explained that gorillas freak out when he shows up at zoos and that they want to fight him. Shaq even called an executive from Zoo Miami during the podcast who confirmed the tale.
The conversation came up when Shaq was contemplating whether to let his gray hair grow out, joking that he would be a "silverback" gorilla and not a "silver fox."
This led to Shaq, a huge zoo aficionado, explaining how gorillas act in his presence.
"True story," Shaq said. "I've been to every zoo in the world, and every time I go to the gorilla section, they look at me like, 'Hey man, where your fur at?' For real. For real. That's how they look at me. They also look at me like, 'What am I doing in here and you out there?' And they always go crazy when they see me."
Shaq, who is 7 feet 1, 325 pounds, then called the animal expert Ron Magill, the communications director for Zoo Miami. Magill is also a bit of a "zookeeper to the stars" and a celebrity in his own right.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.in ...
He’s the black Chuck Norris!
Same thing happens to Michelle Obama
*laughs nervously*
Well, I wouldn’t want to mess with either that man, or the gorilla. Great story.
He is an extraordinarily large man. Very likely seen as a threat by the gorillas.
From all I’ve seen, Shaq has a heart that matches the size of his body.
LOLOL!
Raciest gorillas!
Gorillas are like; “Yo Man. Even us Gorillaz can shoot a free throw”!
This thread will write itself !!
I don’t the male gorillas want to fight her, they want to do other things that would defile her or him...
Like Shaq. His sense of humor matches his big heart.
Ouch!
Weird. He seems like a “gentle giant” to me.
My wife and I were at the London Zoo in the 70s and an elephant definitely posed for us and some other tourists.
Pretty amazing gentleman.
Sounding vaguely racist, can Shaquille O'Neal be charged with using "hateful speech" against himself??
The elephant in the room that we’re told we must not notice.
I don’t usually keep up with athletes but heard an interview with Shaquille. His story is amazing and touching. His mother was so disappointed that he left college for professional sports. He quietly returned to class and received degree, I think masters in education. A gentle giant.
Big or not, the animals would rip him limb from limb like some rag doll.
Just his height would intimidate a gorilla. They don’t get near that tall.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.