Why Shaquille O’Neal told Jason Kelce ‘don’t be an idiot like me’ after retirement

Shaquille O’Neal had some words of wisdom for Jason Kelce when they hung out recently: “Don’t be an idiot like me.”

Page Six asked the NBA legend, 51, at his annual Super Bowl party, Shaq’s Fun House, at XS nightclub in the Wynn Las Vegas hotel Friday night if he offered the Philadelphia Eagles center, 36, any advice should he follow through on his alleged retirement plans.

“I just told him to enjoy his family,” O’Neal told us.

“Don’t be an idiot like me. I made a lot of dumb mistakes and lost my family, so I just told him to enjoy his beautiful wife [Kylie Kelce], enjoy his kids and just, you know, be happy.”

The former Los Angeles Lakers player was seemingly referencing his failed marriage with ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal.

The exes were married from 2002 to 2011– the same year Shaquille retired. They also share five children together.

In 2022, Shaquille publicly blamed himself for their split, revealing at the time he hadn’t been “protecting those vows” during their marriage.

Shaquille O’Neal shared with Page Six exclusively the advice he gave Jason Kelce during a recent meet-up. Getty Images

“Don’t be an idiot like me,” the NBA legend said he told the Philadelphia Eagles center. New Heights/X

“Sometimes when you live that double life, you get caught up,” he previously told “The Pivot Podcast.”

“I’m not going to say it was her. It was all me. … I was just being greedy. I had the perfect situation.”

Shaquille told Page Six that he really connected with Jason because they are both family-oriented.

Shaquille told Jason to “enjoy his family.” kykelce/Instagram

“I made a lot of dumb mistakes and lost my family,” the retired NBA star added. Getty Images

“Jason is a beautiful guy. I can tell that we’re the same people,” the Taylor Swift superfan said.

“He has great admiration for his mother and father — as do I. He’s a family guy. He’s happy for his brother [Travis Kelce]. They competed. They fought. It’s the same thing me and Kobe [Bryant] did — that’s how you raise champions.”

Shaquille said he relates to Jason because he’s a “family guy.” Getty Images

It’s the same thing me and Kobe [Bryant] did — that’s how you raise champions,” he added. Getty Images

Jason shared via the X account for his and Travis’ podcast, “New Heights,” this week that he enjoyed a meal with Shaquille — and trolled Charles Barkley in the process.

The father of three has been juggling podcasting amid his NFL career but it was recently revealed that he may be hanging up his jersey for good after this season.

In January, it was reported that Jason may be retiring from the NFL. Getty Images

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in January that Jason told his Eagles teammates in the locker room after their season-ending wild card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he is retiring.

O’Neal — who has made a successful career for himself as a sports commentator and TV personality following his retirement from the NBA — said he thinks Jason has was it takes to pursue a similar career.

“Of course, yes,” the “NBA on TNT” host said when asked if the football player has a future in media and entertainment. “He’s funny, very educated and a great speaker.”