Everyone knows that Shaquille O’Neal enjoys the spotlight and having a good time, but this time, the former NBA superstar found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy. Recently, a viral photo featuring a popular Instagram influencer, Maria Ozuna Teachey, and an unidentified man sparked a wave of speculation, with many fans convinced that the man in the picture was none other than Shaq himself.
The image, taken in front of a mirror, shows Teachey standing in front of a towering man with his arms wrapped around her, his large hands appearing to rest on her chest. The size of the man, combined with the angle of the photo, led many to believe that the individual could be O’Neal, a 7-foot-1 former NBA champion known for his imposing frame.
The image quickly gained traction online, causing a social media frenzy.
Fans and followers flooded the comments section with guesses and assumptions, pointing to the man’s massive hands and broad shoulders as evidence that it was Shaq in the photo. However, O’Neal wasted no time addressing the rumors and firmly shutting them down.
After the image was reposted on another platform, Shaq directly responded, writing, “Nope, not the kid,” putting the rumors to rest. His brief but clear statement dismissed any notion that he was the man in the viral picture, swiftly defusing the situation before it could spiral further.
Given the man’s size and the fact that his face was mostly obscured in the photo, it’s easy to see why people jumped to conclusions. The unidentified individual’s stature and proportions certainly bore similarities to Shaq’s, but O’Neal’s quick denial left no room for doubt.
Maria Ozuna Teachey, who boasts over 200,000 followers on Instagram, initially shared the photo on her account, allowing it to spread rapidly across social media. While she hasn’t publicly commented on the confusion, the photo has since been removed from her timeline, further suggesting she may have wanted to avoid any continued speculation or attention.
This isn’t the first time Shaq has been at the center of dating rumors involving women seen with him in photos. As a public figure, O’Neal is no stranger to the rumor mill, but none of these stories have ever proven to be true.
In this case, Shaq’s denial was swift and direct, shutting down the gossip before it gained too much traction.
Though fans may have been eager to link the former NBA star to the influencer, Shaq’s response was clear: this time, the rumors are simply false.
