Tom Brady and Shaquille O’Neal are two of the biggest names in the two major sports in America. While Tom Brady is considered to be the greatest football player in the history of the NFL, Shaquille O’Neal is one of the biggest names in the history of NBA.
The two iconic figures have maintained great relationship over the years which is why when Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy ill-commented on Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal had to defend his friend even if meant calling Portnoy an ‘idiot’.
Shaq Defends Tom Brady and Calls Dave Portnoy an ‘idiot’
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy recently criticized Tom Brady on an episode of Wake Up Barstool. Recently Tom Brady was at the Fanatics Fest and was involved in a segment where he had to be in a feud with famous YouTuber and WWE wrestler Logan Paul. At the event he slapped Logan Paul which went viral right after it happened. Later on, Tom Brady even showed Logan Paul the middle finger at the FIFA World Cup final.
Feb 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Logan Paul during the Men’s Royal Rumble match during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Sep 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Fox Sports broadcaster Tom Brady looks on from the field before the game between Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Dave Portnoy criticized Tom Brady’s casual behavior as he thinks an icon of his caliber should not be involved in such casual events. “They’re at the World Cup game. He gives them the bird. Logan Paul. This to me is one of the great downfalls of an icon with Tom Brady and the way he is acting post-retirement,” Portnoy said. “It’s a legacy that is being lamefied. I use that word; people are like, ‘what does that mean?’ It means he’s becoming very lame.” He added later on. “Everything about him is cringey right now to me.”
This week, Shaquille O’Neal joined in to defend Tom Brady in an interview with Page Six. “Dave talks a lot,” O’Neal said responding to Dave Portnoy calling Tom Brady ‘lame’ and ‘cringey’. “He’s one of those lucky guys who has had a lot of success, so he thinks his point of view is important,” Shaq added.
O’Neal then unleashed his ultimate criticism on Portnoy for the remarks on Tom Brady that received the most attention. “I’d be glad if somebody punches him in the face. And I hope it’s Tom,” O’Neal said. “I try to be nice, but you can tell him I said that… idiots like him… their views never matter,” he added.
Shaquille O’Neal strongly defending Tom Brady is not surprising knowing their history of friendship together. Shaq also claimed that Brady knows what he is doing dismissing Portnoy’s claim. Their longstanding bond is what prompted Shaq’s strong defense of the former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback against Portnoy’s remarks.
The Shaq-Brady Friendship Everyone Loves to See
Shaquille O’Neal and Tom Brady have developed a genuine and enduring friendship over the years, rooted in mutual respect as two of the most accomplished athletes of their respective eras. The relationship extends beyond casual acquaintance. The two have appeared together at major events, shared private dinners, and spoken publicly about their admiration for one another.
A notable moment in their friendship came after Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady. O’Neal invited Brady onto The Big Podcast with Shaq and expressed concern that some of the jokes may have unsettled him.
“I love being made fun of,” Brady said. “Because when they make fun of you, you know they’re comfortable with you. If they’re comfortable with you, they make fun of you, then you know you’re really friends. I think people that never make fun of you… I’m like, man, is this real or not? Like in a locker room, all you do is make fun of people. I’ve made every joke of Gronk and Julian [Edelman]… everybody. It’s just, that’s what we do.”
O’Neal has also shown a protective instinct toward Brady. He has publicly defended him on more than one occasion, underscoring the loyalty that underpins their bond. Defending Brady pushing back Portnoy’s remark is just another addition in that tally.
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