ESPN broadcaster Molly McGrath has addressed Shaquille O’Neal’s sneaky interruption while she was reporting live from a college football match over the weekend.
The four-time NBA champion, who stands at a towering 7 feet 1 inches and is considered to be one of the greatest-ever basketball stars, was in attendance at the Ole Miss Rebels vs. LSU Tigers game in Louisiana on Sunday, which finished 29-26 in favor of the latter.
As McGrath revealed LSU Tigers boss Brian Kelly’s prediction for the sporting action to the camera, O’Neal ducked into view directly behind her before swiveling out of shot after a few playful moments.
She had absolutely no idea at the time, but after seeing the footage for herself the Baltimore native has now responded on social media platform X.
Shaquille O’Neal celebrates the launch of ‘Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies’ at Hershey’s Times Square in New York City last month. ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath looks on prior to the game between the Notre Dame Fighting… Shaquille O’Neal celebrates the launch of ‘Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies’ at Hershey’s Times Square in New York City last month. ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath looks on prior to the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the NC State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. O’Neal recently interrupted McGrath’s broadcast, and her response to the situation went viral online.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
On location at the Tiger Stadium, McGrath told those watching at home: “Head coach Brian Kelly predicted that this was going to continue to be a close game that will go down to the wire, saying: ‘Our skill players need to step up and make a big play, this is the kind of game that will come down to one play'”.
Midway through this insight, decked in his own purple merchandise and a glittering Diesel neck chain, ‘Big Shaq’ suddenly appeared in the background biting down on a piece of fruit with a can of fizzy drink in his other hand, staring through the camera lens.
The iconic sportsman, who dropped a Shannon Sharpe diss track earlier this year, proceeded to chow down on his snack while pointing at the camera; sloping off after six seconds on screen.
On the same night, ESPN’s X account uploaded a clip of O’Neal’s antics with the caption: “Shaq out of nowhere” alongside a crying emoji. McGrath went on to reshare the post, writing: “I could feel someone behind me, had no idea it was Shaq [laughing emoji]”.
The viral video now boasts over 4 million views, with 81,000 ever-rising likes and 2,500 re-shares of McGrath’s reaction. X users were particularly impressed by the ESPN host’s stoic professionalism, despite feeling a switch of energy in her immediate vicinity.
“Absolute pro focus on that report. Didn’t even flinch,” read one comment, whilst two more McGrath fans added: “You handled it like a champ. Hope yall had a laugh about it after” and “You handled it perfectly!”
“Great job not losing focus regardless who was behind you,” was another commendation amid the many responses.
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