Spoiler alert: It was the look in his eyes. That’s how our man Shaq says he knew that Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce would be retiring from the game of football. O’Neal talked about how and when he came to know what was happening with Kelce on a couple of recent podcast talks.
It started when O’Neal was interviewed by USA TODAY Sports reporters just before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas between the Chiefs and 49ers. Seems that even at that time, Kelce had spoken to Shaq about his decision to retire from the game, but O’Neal agreed to keep it quiet until the official announcement.
Shaq talked about the story with Adam Lefkoe, one of O’Neal’s partners on TNT (Lefkoe sometimes takes the center seat when regular host Ernie Johnson is out.) Shaq said it was clear to him – through Kelce’s facial expression and the look in his eyes, that the Philly center was ready to end his 13-year NFL career.
The official announcement would come a little later, with Kelce holding a personal, hour-long press conference.
On O’Neal’s own Big Podcast with Shaq, Lefkoe asked about the story, coming right out with the big question, “You knew [Jason Kelce] was going to retire?”
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
Shaq’s answer: “I know everything brother… I can tell.” When Lefkoe asked how he knew, Shaq explained, “Yeah, his eyes. Like, when you interact with people, you have to realize that when you ask a question, if a person looks to the left… that’s the imaginative side of your brain.”
Doc Shaq continued: “So it’s not that you’re gonna tell a lie but they’re like, you know, looking for time. ”You’re gonna retire?” He’s corporate, he’s smart ”Oh, oh, I don’t know I have to talk to my…” you know the line but I knew.
As we know, Shaq already has some serious educational credentials with an Ed.D degree in Human Resources Development… so he knows a bit about people, and how they react to life’s changes. In chatting more with Lefkoe, the big man joked that he’s ‘making preparations’ to obtain a masters degree in sports psychology. We’re guessing he’d do pretty well with it, too!
Also on the podcast, Shaq talked about how he pre-recorded a message to Kelce for when he made his retirement official… Sending good vibes and support. It included plenty of advice, from one retired sports star to another.
Shaq sent: “Jason! I wanted to say: one, I knew you was going to do it. Two, my brother, great career — love you, love your family. Welcome to my life! Let me tell you what my life consists of: nothing,’ Shaq said in the video. ‘Wake up, go outside, pick up that paper — I know you’ve never done that before.”
Plenty more Shaq-advice: “Oh, you know what, you have your wife fixing your plate. Make your own plate, wash your own dishes. You take out the garbage now. Welcome to my life, buddy! You have converted yourself into a regular man and Superman too when he went back to the North, South Pole and gave his powers up — that’s what you have just done.”
He finished with: “Congratulations, brother! I love you. And remember what I said. Enjoy your beautiful wife and enjoy your family.”
Who knows where the former Eagle will perch next? Maybe – like so many other stars before him – in the announcer’s booth, adding that all-important “color” to the call of the game. We’ll see!