Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Recording artist Rihanna performs during halftime of Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow/The Republic via USA TODAY Sports

One of the most talked-about aspects of Super Bowl LVII was the Halftime Show by Rihanna. The megastar singer did her entire performance while pregnant and delivered many of her biggest hits while doing so.

Not everyone was impressed. Longtime critic Donald Trump bashed the performance and plenty of others were not happy with Rihanna’s music or dance moves. One person who is not here for Rihanna slander, however, is Shaquille O’Neal.

On a recent episode of  The Big Podcast with Shaq, the NBA legend lashed out at critics and told them that he had her back.

“All you people disrespecting Rihanna, shut your face. Shut it up,” O’Neal said. “We living in a world where people got too much freedom, keep your —-ing thoughts to yourself.

“She did a wonderful job. She’s pregnant, she blessed it, she did her thing, she didn’t fall. Just leave it there. All you superstars that’s disrespectful and causing beef, shut your face.”

The former Los Angeles Lakers star specifically mentioned “rappers” and “presidential candidates” as those who were critical of the singer though he didn’t name names.

“If she was my woman and I seen one of you superstars do that, I’m gonna have to get at you,” he said. “Rappers. Presidential candidates. I’m gonna have to get at you. Leave her alone.”

[The Big Podcast with Shaq, Fox News]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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