Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly stated that he predicted the retirement of Jason Kelce from the NFL well before the announcement was made public.
In an episode of The Big Podcast alongside Adam Lefkoe, Shaq reflected on his conversation with Kelce, where he observed a key sign that hinted at Kelce’s upcoming retirement.
Specifically, Shaq noticed that during their previous podcast interaction, Kelce’s eye movements revealed a potential thought process about retirement. “His eyes,” Shaq mentioned during the March 6 podcast episode, “when you ask a question, if a person looks to the left, that’s the imaginative side of your brain.”
Shaq interpreted Kelce’s eye movement as an indication of him buying time or creatively thinking when asked about leaving the NFL.
Kelce, at age 36, announced his retirement after a successful 13-year career in a March 4 press conference, following some earlier uncertainty regarding his career’s future.
Prior to making his retirement official, Kelce had engaged in discussions about life after the NFL with fellow athletes and on his New Heights podcast.
Shaq offered Kelce sage advice during his mid-February appearance on The Big Podcast, emphasizing the importance of enjoying family life post-retirement and not to dwell on the past achievements.
In his most recent conversation with Lefkoe, Shaq echoed his earlier advice to Kelce, endorsing a family-centered approach to life after football.
FAQs About Jason Kelce’s Retirement and Shaquille O’Neal’s Insights
- What did Shaquille O’Neal say was the tell-tale sign of Jason Kelce’s retirement?
Shaq mentioned that Kelce’s eye movement, particularly looking to the left while answering a question about retirement, was the tell-tale sign. - How did Shaquille O’Neal interpret Jason Kelce’s eye movements?
He believed that Kelce was engaging with the imaginative side of his brain, potentially indicating his contemplation of retirement. - When did Jason Kelce officially announce his retirement?
Kelce officially announced his retirement from the NFL on March 4 during a press conference. - What advice did Shaquille O’Neal give Jason Kelce?
Shaq advised Kelce to accept retirement if that was his decision and to focus on enjoying time with his family, emphasizing the importance of not dwelling on past NFL glories. - Has Jason Kelce spoken about retirement prior to his official announcement?
Yes, Kelce had discussed the prospect of retirement on various platforms, including his own podcast New Heights and as a guest on The Big Podcast with Shaq.
Conclusion
Judging by Shaquille O’Neal’s own experience and intuition, it seemed that the signs of Jason Kelce’s retirement were present well before the official word came out. The movement of the eyes ended up being more telling than Kelce might have intended. Shaq’s advice to Kelce extends beyond sports, touching on life and family values, showcasing the importance of what lies ahead after a professional sports career. Whatever Kelce’s future holds, it appears he has both the support and wisdom from peers like Shaq to guide him in his post-NFL life.