Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has come out in defence of Rihanna following criticism of her Super Bowl halftime performance.
The four-time NBA champion laid into the pop star's naysayers on The Big Podcast with Shaq, passionately defending the nine-time Grammy winner.
Shaq had an eloquent and emphatic suggestion to the critics: “Shut the f**k up!”
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Speaking with Nischelle Turner and Candace Parker on the podcast, he sadi: “All you people disrespecting Rihanna, shut your face.”
The 35-year-old has faced her fair share of hate following her performance that saw her dazzle in an all-red suit, all whilst pregnant.
The basketball analyst believes that people have too much freedom to lay into others and that he believed she put on an amazing performance.
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Shaq continued: “She did a wonderful job.
“She's pregnant. She blessed it. She didn't fall. Just leave it there. All you superstars that's disrespecting and causing beef ... shut it up."
The big man added that it was the first time he’d seen the performer live and that if he were in A$AP Rocky’s shoes he’d be throwing out threats.
He added: “If she was my woman and I seen one of you superstars do that, I’'m gonna have to get at you."
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"Rappers. Presidential candidates. I'm gonna have to get at you. Leave her alone."
It’s pretty obvious the Presidential candidate that Shaq was referring to.
Former President Donald Trump took exception to the performance calling it the ‘worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history’.
He said: “EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history — This after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also, so much for her 'Stylist!'”
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Don’t know if the orange man has a leg to stand on when it comes to style.
Meanwhile, WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg also seemingly hated the performance.
The former WWE world heavyweight champion was extremely critical and branding it "I thought Rihanna was frickin horrible," Goldberg said on the CarCast podcast, as per TMZ.
"I was disgusted by it. That's all. Let's just say that. I thought it was horrible."
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When co-host Matt D'Andria claimed it was "kind of boring", Goldberg said his comment was the understatement of the year".
Almost as boring as watching a Goldberg match.
Featured Image Credit: Pixsell / Alamy. REUTERS / Alamy.Topics: Shaquille O’Neal, Super Bowl, NBA, Basketball, NFL